Constantly in touch with leaders of Brazil, China, India on Ukraine: Putin

Leaders of Brazil, China, and India are making a sincere effort to contribute to resolving the situation in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said while addressing the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) this week.

“We respect our friends and partners, who, I believe, sincerely seek to resolve all issues surrounding this conflict, primarily China, Brazil and India. I constantly keep in touch with our colleagues on this issue,” Russian news agency TASS reported Putin as saying.

Following his visit to Poland and Ukraine in the last week of August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had dialled Putin calling for “sincere and practical engagement between all stakeholders to achieve an abiding and peaceful resolution in the Russia-Ukraine war.”

Following Putin’s remarks at the EEF, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov went a step further and told the Izvestia daily that India could help in establishing a dialogue on Ukraine, and added that Moscow sees no preconditions for talks so far.

Peskov stressed on the existing “highly constructive, even friendly relations” between Modi and Putin, adding that the former can “lead the line on getting first-hand information from the participants in this conflict,” as he “freely communicates with Putin, with [Ukrainian President Vladimir] Zelensky, and with the Americans.”

“This gives a great opportunity for India to throw its weight in world affairs, to use its influence that would drive the Americans and Ukrainians towards using a greater political will and entering the peaceful settlement track,” Peskov said.

However, Peskoy said there are “no specific plans” for Modi’s possible mediation mission. “At this time they can hardly exist, as we do not see any precondition for talks for now.”

While addressing the EEF, Putin said, “I have no doubt that those leaders (from China, Brazil, and India) – and we maintain a trusting relationship – are making a sincere effort to navigate the ins and outs of this complicated process which clearly began with the 2014 coup in Ukraine.”

Putin said Russia will always protect its interests and the interests of people in Ukraine who fight for their rights to speak Russian and for their traditions.

“We will definitely protect our interests and the interests of people who are close to us, those who espouse the Russian language and the Russian culture, Russian traditions,” Putin said.

The Eastern Economic Forum is taking place at the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok from 3-6 September.