Nueva Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, the president of the United States, Donald Trump and the president of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, for his efforts to put an end to the ongoing conflict of Russia-Ukraine
In his first public reaction on Ukraine’s will to negotiate a high fire, Putin said he agrees with the proposal of Alto El Fuego, but “it comes from the assumption that this cessation should lead to long -term peace and eliminate the fundamental causes of the crisis.”
“We all have enough national issues to address. But many leaders of the States, including the President of the People’s Republic of China, the Prime Minister of India, the presidents of Brazil and the Republic of South Africa are addressing this problem and give it a lot of time,” Putin said during a joint press conference with Bielarus President Alexander Leukashenko.
“We are grateful to all of them because this activity aims to achieve a noble mission: the mission of ending hostilities and loss of lives,” he added.
Putin said that Russia accepts the proposal of Alto El Fuego of the United States, but argued that some problems should still be addressed.
“We agree with the proposal that a high fire (with Ukraine) ceases hostilities, but we proceed from the fact that this fire should lead to lasting peace, and should eliminate the fundamental causes of this crisis,” Putin said during a press conference with Belaruso President Alexander Lukashenko.
This occurred a day after Trump said that “it depends on Russia now”, since its administration presses Moscow to accept the high fire, after the peace conversations between the US and Ukrainian officials that turned out that kyiv agreed to remember the fire backed by the United States of 30 days that covers the entire first line line.
Putin questioned what a fire would mean in the light of the recent Ukrainian “incursion” in Kursk. “Would that mean that everyone would leave there? Should we release them after having committed numerous crimes against civilians there, or Ukrainian leadership orders them to give up? What will happen? That is not clear,” he said.
Previously, Putin had appointed India among the three countries where he is constantly in contact with the Ukraine conflict and said they are making efforts sincerely to solve it.
In July last year, Prime Minister Modi traveled to Russia to participate in the 22nd Bilateral Summit of India-Russia. He also traveled to Ukraine in August last year.
During the bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the position of the peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
Prime Minister Modi also welcomed Trump’s efforts to resolve the Russian-Ukraine conflict and reiterated the position of India that the conflict should be resolved in the negotiation table.
“I have always been in close contact with Russia and Ukraine. I have met the leaders of both countries. Many people are in a wrong idea that India is neutral, but I want to reiterate that India is not neutral; we are on one side, and that is peace,” said Prime Minister Modi in a joint preschooler in the White House.
In addition, he reiterated the position of India that a solution to the conflict on the battlefield cannot be found and appreciated the efforts of President Donald Trump in this direction.
“I have said that ‘this is not a moment of war’ in front of the media when President Putin was with me. Even today, my conviction is that the solutions to war cannot be found on the battlefield and, ultimately, we have to be on the table,” said Prime Minister Modi.
He added: “India believes that the solution to war can only be found when the problem is discussed in a forum where both countries (Russia and Ukraine) will be present. The efforts made by President Trump. Support and I appreciate it. I hope you succeed as soon as possible.”
