Putin says India, China or Brazil can mediate Russia-Ukraine peace talks; favours Harris in US election

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that India, China, and Brazil can mediate in the conflict with Ukraine.

Addressing the Eastern Economic Forum at Russia’s Vladivostok, Putin said that Russia has never been closed to peace talks and referred to the talks that took place in the initial weeks of the conflict in 2022.

“Are we ready to negotiate with them? We have never refused this, but not on the basis of some ephemeral demands, but on the basis of those documents that were agreed and virtually initiated in Istanbul,” said Putin, as per Reuters.

As for the partners who can mediate between Russia and Ukraine, Putin said he is frequently in touch with them.

“We respect our friends, partners, who, I believe, are sincerely interested in resolving all issues related to this conflict. This is primarily the People’s Republic of China, Brazil, India. I am constantly in contact with our colleagues on this issue. And I have no doubt that the leaders of these countries, we have a trusting relationship with them, sincerely strive to help understand all the details of this complex process,” said Putin, as per the news agency.

In 2022, in the initial weeks of the war, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators had multiple rounds of engagements to flesh out a peace deal . A proposal had also emerged but Russian demands over territorial control, Ukraine’s internal identity question, and security guarantees, among others, meant that the talks collapsed. Now, as the conflict is in its third year and both sides are looking to maximise their gains, talks don’t appear to be likely in near future.

While speaking about the Ukraine conflict, Putin also blamed former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for fuelling the conflict. He said it was at his insistence that Ukraine decided to fight till the last soldier.

“We have reached almost all the parameters of a possible peace agreement with representatives of the government in Kyiv, all these parameters, agreed on everything. Moreover, the head of the negotiating delegation, who still heads the ruling faction in the (Verkhovna) Rada, in the (Ukrainian) parliament, he endorsed these agreements. Yes, there was still something to be worked out, but in general, the visa was there, it was a document. Then Mr. Johnson came, as is known. The British authorities do not deny this, they confirm. He arrived and ordered the Ukrainians to fight to the last Ukrainian - which is happening today with the aim of achieving a strategic defeat of Russia. This is not happening,” said Putin, as per an English translation of his address.

Putin ’endorses’ Harris in US election

Owing to her “infectious” laugh, Putin endorsed Kamala Harris over Donald Trump in the US presidential election, according to Reuters.

Putin’s jest comes a day after the Joe Biden administration of the United States charged Russia with a disinformation campaign to interfere in the US election.

Previously, Putin has said he preferred Biden over Trump because Biden was a more predictable “old school” politician. Now, Putin has said he will follow Biden’s endorsement to support Harris.

“She laughs so expressively and infectiously that it means that everything is fine with her,” said Putin, as per Reuters.

Putin further said that maybe endorsing Harris would lead her to refrain from imposing further sanctions against Russia.

Even as Putin has now claimed to endorse Harris in jest, he is seen as being friendly with Trump. Throughout his public life, Trump has admired Putin publicly.

Previously, Trump has called Putin “smart”, “savvy”, and “genius”. In the run-up to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when Russia was deploying troops along the Ukrainian border and military action seemed imminent, Trump had praised Putin.

“Trump described Putin’s aggression toward Ukraine as ‘genius’ and ‘very savvy’, adding, in reference to the Russian military, ’they’re gonna keep peace all right’. Trump went on to praise Putin as ‘a tough cookie” who has ‘great charm’,” reported MSNBC about Trump’s statement on February 23, 2022, just one day before Russia invaded Ukraine.