United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has emphasized the urgent need for a “just peace” in Ukraine during a crucial meeting of BRICS leaders led by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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This dialogue unfolded on the concluding day of the BRICS summit, taking place in the city of Kazan, Russia. This forum serves as a platform for Russia, aiming to rally emerging economies to present a cohesive stance against Western powers.
“We require peace in Ukraine,” Guterres expressed to the assembled BRICS leaders around the table. He further stressed, “A just peace that aligns with the UN Charter, international law, and the resolutions of the General Assembly.”
Opening the discussion, Guterres stated, “It takes a coalition of nations, united as one global family, to tackle the pressing challenges our world faces.”
In a somewhat curt reply following the UN chief’s statements, President Putin responded, “The General Secretary remarked that we should all coexist as one large family.” He then noted, “Unfortunately, within families, disagreements, scandals, disputes over belongings, and sometimes even conflicts often arise.”
The last encounter between Guterres and Putin occurred back in April 2022.
Putin articulated that “the purpose of BRICS is to build mechanisms for interaction and foster a harmonious environment in our shared home.”
Ukraine reacted strongly against Guterres’ decision to engage with Putin, who has insisted on territorial concessions in Ukraine’s south and east as non-negotiable for a ceasefire. Kyiv labeled this stance as “absurd.”
Later today, Guterres will hold one-on-one discussions with Putin, during which he intends to reaffirm his position on the conflict, according to his spokesperson.
The last time the two leaders met was in the early days of Russia’s military offensive in April 2022, when Guterres visited Moscow amid Russia’s siege of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol.
Since that moment, Guterres has actively participated in peace initiatives, such as facilitating an agreement that enabled Ukraine to export grain from its ports in the latter part of 2022.
Direct diplomatic engagements between the two nations have been sparse since then.
The discussions at the summit arise as Russian military forces make advances in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, closing in on the critical supply center of Pokrovsk.
The United States has expressed concerns over reports suggesting that thousands of North Korean soldiers have been dispatched to Russia, raising alarm about a potential increase in troop deployments to bolster Russian forces.
‘No place in a modern world’
Spokesperson Farhan Haq announced that Guterres would utilize this meeting to “reaffirm his long-standing positions concerning the war in Ukraine.” He also highlighted that the UN chief remains ready to offer mediation, pending the right circumstances.
“He stands poised to assist whenever the parties involved are willing, continuously monitoring the situation to identify the appropriate moment,” Haq remarked.
Amidst this backdrop, Ukraine criticized Guterres’ planned meeting with what it described as the “criminal Putin,” decrying the UN chief’s engagement with the Russian leader.
Meanwhile, Guterres has condemned Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories, asserting that such actions “have no place in our contemporary world.” He has visited locations where the Russian military has faced accusations of horrific acts in Ukraine, persistently advocating for a “just peace.”
In a related context, the discussions arose one day after the U.S. claimed “thousands” of North Korean soldiers were being trained in Russia.
“We remain uncertain about their intended mission or whether they may participate in combat in Ukraine,” a senior U.S. official commented.
Putin, who previously inked a mutual defense agreement with North Korea during a visit to the enigmatic nation in June, has yet to offer a response to the ongoing reports.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asserted the necessity for a ‘peaceful’ resolution to the ongoing conflict.
A day prior, Russia suggested that inquiries regarding troop movements should be directed to Pyongyang, opting not to confirm or refute the allegations.
Several global leaders at the BRICS summit have voiced support for an end to the Ukraine conflict. Modi expressed earlier this week, “We fully back initiatives to swiftly restore peace and stability.” India has navigated a delicate diplomatic route since the onset of Russia’s military actions, providing humanitarian aid to Kyiv while steering clear of outright condemnation of Moscow’s maneuvers.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has similarly called for a cessation of hostilities.
In the backdrop of these discussions, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Kazan, officially invited as a state to join the BRICS group, as announced by his ministry via social media platform X.
Originally founded in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, BRICS has since broadened its membership to encompass additional burgeoning nations, including South Africa, Egypt, and Iran.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
