The Russian President, Wladimir Putin, said this Tuesday 19th that Russia is open to dialogue with Ukraine, the United States and Europe on the future of the neighboring country. However, the autocrat stressed that all negotiations would be based on Russia's national interests.
Since Putin invaded part of Ukraine in 2022, he has declared his willingness to seek peace to any extreme. Western authorities believe that the autocrat is waiting for the US presidential elections, which will take place in November 2024, before making serious efforts in this direction.
During a defense leadership meeting in Moscow, Putin stated:
“Do those in Ukraine who are aggressive towards Russia in Europe and the United States want to negotiate?” So be it. But we will do so based on our national interests. We will not give up what is ours.”
Russia currently controls about 17.5% of the territory that has been internationally recognized as part of Ukraine since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and last year claimed four other regions of Ukraine, some of which its troops control, as part of the country.
Meanwhile, Kiev maintains its determination to expel all Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. Ukraine will not rest until its country's sovereignty is fully restored.
We're keeping an eye on Brazil
In the last edition of CrusoeThe cover story, written by Duda Teixeira, highlighted the disinformation war promoted by Vladimir Putin to get Brazilians to side with the Kremlin in major world conflicts.
In addition to steering public opinion, the goal is to influence Brazil's foreign policy positions and prevent the country from becoming another critic of Russians abroad.
On Monday 18, Celso Amorim, Lula's special adviser on international affairs, defended Vladimir Putin's visit to Brazil for the G20 summit scheduled for November 2024. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant in March for the Russian tyrant's arrest on war crimes charges.
In an interview with UOL, Amorim said: “We want Putin to come. A G20 conference without Russia is an incomplete conference. When we talk about issues like global governance reform, how can one ignore Russia? Russia is a necessary actor. His absence contradicts the interests of the G20.”