Vladimir Putin speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.
New Delhi: The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has revealed that he is in regular contact with leaders from India, China, and Brazil regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin underscored the significant roles these countries could play in mediating peace talks.
Addressing the plenary session of the EEF, Putin said, “We respect our friends and partners, who, I believe, sincerely seek to resolve all issues surrounding this conflict, primarily China, Brazil, and India. I constantly keep in touch with our colleagues on this issue.”
“I have no doubt that those leaders - and we maintain a trusting relationship - are making a sincere effort to navigate the ins and outs of this complicated process which clearly began with the 2014 coup in Ukraine,” the Russian president added.
However, Putin said Russia will do everything to protect its interests and the interests of the people in Ukraine who fight to speak Russian and uphold their traditional Russian culture. He said, “We will definitely protect our interests and the interests of people who are close to us, those who espouse the Russian language and the Russian culture, Russian traditions.”
Putin’s comments come on the heels of the Ukraine visit by India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, where he met with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Kyiv’s Mariinsky Palace. During his visit, Modi reiterated India’s commitment to peace and expressed a willingness to facilitate dialogue between Ukraine and Russia.
Modi’s Ukraine visit itself came within a short period of his visit to Russia, where he met Putin.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also weighed in on India’s potential role in the peace process. He noted that India’s established communication channels with both Russia and Ukraine could be instrumental in initiating dialogue.
“This gives a great opportunity for India to throw its weight in world affairs, to use its influence that would drive the Americans and Ukrainians towards using a greater political will and entering the peaceful settlement track,” Peskov said.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, Peskov mentioned that there are currently no specific plans for Modi to mediate the conflict, citing a lack of preconditions for talks at this time.
