International body emphasizes the necessity of a direct dialogue between Kiev and Moscow
In recent developments, there have been proposals for a face-to-face summit between the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as part of peace efforts. This summit, which was suggested by former U.S. President Donald Trump, is being considered as a means to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The proposed locations for the summit include Switzerland, suggested by French President Emmanuel Macron, Budapest, Hungary, suggested by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, and Moscow, reportedly offered by Putin himself. However, no venue has been confirmed yet.
The positions of both parties present significant challenges. Russia's stance is cautious and conditional, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stating that Putin is only willing to meet Zelenskyy when the agenda is fully prepared. Russia has also questioned Zelenskyy’s legitimacy and framed Ukraine as influenced by Western countries, complicating direct negotiations.
Ukraine, on the other hand, insists on its agency and the right to negotiate directly. There is strong pushback against Russia’s stance that makes peace talks difficult. The war in Ukraine has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides and has been marked by large-scale aerial attacks by Russia on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, emphasised the importance of parties in the Ukraine conflict speaking directly to each other. Dujarric also stressed that the Secretary-General is ready to support any significant effort to find an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, welcomed recent diplomatic commitments led by the U.S. with a focus on obtaining a peaceful solution in Ukraine. However, major obstacles remain, including logistical, security, and foundational political issues like territorial disputes and security guarantees. The timeline for preparation would normally take months, and both sides remain far apart on key issues, complicating prospects of any near-term summit.
It is important to note that Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, with the stated reasons of protecting pro-Russian separatist minorities and "denazifying" Ukraine. Russia has rejected any prolonged ceasefire and demands that Ukraine cede four regions - Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia - as well as the Crimean Peninsula, and permanently renounce joining NATO.
In the past, a summit was held on August 15 in Alaska between Trump and Putin regarding the war in Ukraine, with a potential ceasefire as the main topic, but no results were achieved.
As the world watches, the international community hopes for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. The UN, along with other global powers, stands ready to support any significant effort to find an end to the conflict.
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