Putin says he’s open to dialogue over Ukraine

Published May 27, 2023
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov holds a meeting with Li Hui, China’s special envoy for Ukraine, in Moscow, on Friday.—AFP
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov holds a meeting with Li Hui, China’s special envoy for Ukraine, in Moscow, on Friday.—AFP

MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin told his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a call on Friday that Russia was open to dialogue over Ukraine, the Kremlin said, shortly after Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov welcomed a Chinese peace envoy to Moscow.

Russia has repeatedly said it was open to resuming peace talks with Kyiv, which stalled a few months after Russia invaded Ukraine early last year, and has welcomed mediation efforts from both Brazil and China.

But it has insisted that any negotiations must be based on “new realities”, meaning its declared annexation of four Ukrainian provinces that it largely or partly controls — a condition unacceptable to Kyiv.

China for its part has put forward a 12-point plan for peace in Ukraine that involves declaring a ceasefire, but does not stipulate that Russia should withdraw from any of the territory it has seized.

Moscow insists talks based on ‘new realities’, implying its annexation of four provinces must be accepted as fait accompli

In his meeting with Li, Lavrov expressed gratitude for China’s “balanced position” and willingness to play a positive role, his ministry said.

“I reiterated Brazil’s willingness, along with India, Indonesia and China, to talk to both sides of the conflict in pursuit of peace,” he tweeted.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not meet Lula when both men attended a Group of Seven summit in Japan last weekend, despite finding time to speak to an array of other national leaders.

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, a hawkish senior ally of Putin’s, was quoted on Friday as saying Russia could not trust any truce with Ukraine, and would therefore have to destroy the “very nature” of power in Kyiv.

Lula declines Putin’s invitation

Brazilain President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declined an invitation to travel to Saint Petersburg during the telephone call with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

The refusal came just days after a spat between Lula and Ukrain’s President Volodymyr Zelensky at the G7 summit in Japan, where a planned meeting between the pair fell through.

“I thanked (Putin) for an invitation to go to the International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg and replied that I cannot go to Russia at this time,” wrote Lula on Twitter about the event scheduled for June 14-17.

“But I reiterated Brazil’s availability, alongside India, Indo­nesia and China, to speak with both sides of the conflict to seek peace.”

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

Anti-smuggling drive
Updated 04 Oct, 2023

Anti-smuggling drive

Smuggling is eating into the economy, weakening it and imposing enormous costs on the manufacturing industry, jobs and public well-being.
Deadly trade
Updated 04 Oct, 2023

Deadly trade

Not only is the physical well-being of individuals at risk, the ethical fibre of our medical community is also threatened.
Caucasus conflict
04 Oct, 2023

Caucasus conflict

AFTER more than three decades of stalemate, the bloody conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh may be headed for a conclusion....
Relying on debt
Updated 03 Oct, 2023

Relying on debt

Sadly, the ruling military and civil elite haven’t grasped the seriousness of the economic crises.
Palestine abandoned
03 Oct, 2023

Palestine abandoned

IT appears to be only a matter of time before a normalisation deal is announced between Saudi Arabia and Israel....
Killjoys in Swat
03 Oct, 2023

Killjoys in Swat

IN yet another blow to women’s rights in Pakistan, a group of young, spirited girls seeking to participate in a...