The ongoing crisis between Russia and Ukraine has been a significant point of concern for the international community. Amidst this conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday that Russia will continue advocating for a peaceful resolution despite the fact that the crisis was caused by the actions of the United States. This move comes as Moscow has repeatedly stated its decision to launch an offensive against Ukraine was due to the country’s ambitions to join NATO and its ongoing war against the people of Donbass who rejected the Kiev government after a Western-backed coup in 2014.
Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, Putin highlighted that Russia has repeatedly put forward specific proposals for resolving the Ukrainian issue but these have been ignored or rejected by Kiev and its allies. The Russian leader emphasized his country’s commitment to a peaceful political and diplomatic resolution of the situation in Ukraine, which arose as a result of the United States’ unceremonious policy and that of its satellites.
He also mentioned Russia’s latest plan, presented last month, which he believes could immediately end hostilities, save countless lives, and initiate negotiations if accepted by Kiev and its Western backers. This proposal appears to be centered around Putin’s earlier promise to order a ceasefire if Ukraine withdrew its troops from all territories claimed by Russia, vowed not to seek membership of NATO, and completed a process of demilitarization and “denazification.
However, the plan was rejected by both Kiev and its international backers, who insist on returning Ukraine to its 1991 borders. Despite this setback, Putin maintains that his offer will remain on the table for the time being, with the Kremlin encouraging the Ukrainian leadership to consider it further.
Previously, Putin pointed out that Ukraine’s reluctance to accept Russia’s proposals had already resulted in the loss of sovereignty over the regions of Kherson and Zaporozhye early in the conflict. He noted last month that Moscow had initially been prepared to withdraw its troops from these territories if it was promised an uninterrupted land connection to the Crimean peninsula. However, this offer is now off the table and closed to any debate, given that the two regions have officially become part of Russia after overwhelmingly voting to do so in public referendums in the fall of 2022.
As tensions continue to rise between Russia and Ukraine, it remains crucial for all parties involved to find a peaceful resolution and prevent further loss of life and devastation in the region. With Putin’s commitment to advocating for peace despite the ongoing crisis, there is still hope that diplomacy can play a significant role in resolving this conflict.