Ukraine Peace could be served by African Proposal: Putin

 

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African Leaders Proposed Peace Plan for Ukraine Conflict, Putin Responds with Caution

Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently met with African leaders in Saint Petersburg to discuss an initiative they presented. According to Putin, this could potentially serve as a basis for the peace in Moscow's ongoing war on Ukraine. 

However, Putin also claimed that attacks from Kyiv have made a cessation of hostilities "virtually impossible." 

The proposal includes several steps to defuse the conflict, but specific details have not been disclosed.

The African leaders' initiative reportedly suggested:

• A Russian Troop Pullback, 
• The removal of Russian tactical nuclear weapons from Belarus, 
• Suspension of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Putin, and
• The easing of sanctions. 

While the proposal has garnered attention, both Russia and Ukraine have expressed reservations about its practicality.

Putin, addressing reporters in Moscow while acknowledging the challenges in implementing certain aspects of the initiative, particularly the idea of a ceasefire. 

He asserted that Ukraine is advancing and on a strategic offensive, making it difficult for Russia to halt its military actions. 

The Russian leader emphasized that any progress toward peace would require bilateral efforts, and he praised China's previous peace proposal, highlighting that it could complement the African initiative. 

However, Kyiv has previously rejected the idea of an immediate ceasefire, as such a move would leave Russia in control of a significant portion of Ukrainian territory, giving its forces time to regroup after 17 months of intense warfare. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently insisted that any peace talks must involve the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from occupied Ukrainian territory, a demand Russia has rejected. 

Despite this, Putin asserted that Russia has not outright rejected peace talks but emphasized the need for mutual agreement between the parties before meaningful negotiations can occur. 

The situation remains complex, with both sides holding firm on their respective stances. 

ICC Arrest Warrant Issue and The Upcoming Summit in South Africa

Regarding Putin's participation in an upcoming economic summit in South Africa's Johannesburg, his presence has become a subject of controversy due to the ICC arrest warrant issued against him over alleged war crimes related to the abduction of children from Ukraine. 

South Africa, a signatory to the Rome treaty that formed the ICC, is obligated to arrest the Russian leader if he sets foot on its territory. 

Putin has stated that he will not attend the summit in person but will participate via video link. 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Russia at the gathering of BRICS leaders, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. 

The decision not to attend in person likely stems from concerns about the ICC arrest warrant and the potential diplomatic ramifications. 

While Russia has dismissed the ICC warrant, Putin has refrained from traveling to any country that is a signatory to the ICC treaty since his indictment. 

The debate surrounding his potential attendance in South Africa has been an unwelcome development for the Kremlin, drawing attention to the serious accusations leveled against the Russian president. 

Ukraine Peace

As the situation continues to unfold, finding a path to peace in the Ukraine conflict remains elusive. 

The African leaders' initiative, while noteworthy, faces significant challenges in implementation, given the ongoing hostilities and deep-rooted disagreements between Russia and Ukraine. 

A lasting resolution will require sincere efforts and compromises from both sides, as well as the support and engagement of the international community in pursuit of a peaceful resolution to this long-standing crisis.

(Courtesy: Al-Jazeera)