The Russian President declares his openness to “peace talks” but continues to portray Ukraine as the aggressor and reiterates Russia’s willingness to “continue the fight.”
Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, continues to send mixed signals regarding potential peace talks with Ukraine. According to ISW, his rhetoric is meant to portray Russia as a willing negotiator while also indicating a refusal to accept terms that do not amount to Ukraine’s surrender and destruction.
The news comes as Ukraine’s president Zelenskyy has presented his victory plan to European Leaders, which includes points such as NATO invitation for Ukraine and restoration of Ukrainian territorial Integrity, additional Western military assistance, permission for long-range attacks deep inside Russia. Putin, on his part, is aligned with the China-Brazil Peace Plan, which calls for ceasefire, but does not explicitly condemn Russia or demand the withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied Ukrainian territory.
Putin said that Russia was willing to negotiate with Ukraine during a meeting in Moscow with the heads of media from BRICS members states on 18 October. Putin also said that Russia is “ready to continue the fight” and that victory will be ours.
Putin said that Russia must also establish conditions for lasting peace, while describing Ukraine as the aggressor of the war.
ISW interprets this as limiting Ukraine’s ability to defend against future Russian aggression.
The Russian president used BRICS to promote alternative peace proposals proposed by Brazil and China. These plans contain key principles that favor Russia. The ISW believes that the Kremlin does not have a genuine interest in good-faith negotiations with Ukraine.
Invoking “peace plans” and “negotiations”, Russia is likely to be trying to get the West to put pressure on Ukraine so that it makes preemptive concessions about its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Zelenskyy has criticized the China/Brazil peace plan in Ukraine, calling it destructive and pro-Russia. He stressed that any peace effort should hold Russia accountable and respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
BRICS is a political and economic alliance that includes Brazil, Russia, India and China. It aims to promote cooperation among emerging markets, and challenge Western-dominated organizations like the IMF and World Bank.
Turkiye joined BRICS in September. The aim was to expand its global alliances outside the West, while maintaining NATO membership. This move reflects Turkiye’s efforts to diversify its economic ties with nations like Russia and China, and leverage its geopolitical role as a hub for Europe and Asia.
Read More @ euromaidanpress.com