Putin defends Brazil, China and India as peace mediators

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (5) that countries such as Brazil, China and India are seeking to mediate the process of resolving the Ukrainian conflict. The statement was made during his participation in the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.

When questioned by journalists, Putin classified the countries as nations that are “sincerely interested in resolving the Ukrainian conflict.”

“We respect our friends and partners, who, I believe, are sincerely interested in resolving all issues related to this conflict. This concerns, first of all, the People’s Republic of China, Brazil, India,” Putin said during the plenary session of the forum.

At the event, Putin also stressed that he had never refused to negotiate with Ukraine, but said that negotiations would be conducted on terms determined by Russia. One of the points on which the Kremlin has not given up is Ukraine’s military neutrality.

“We are ready to negotiate with them [Ucrânia]?, Putin asked. “We have never refused, but not on ephemeral demands, but on the basis of documents that were agreed and signed in Istanbul,” Putin said.

At today’s forum, Putin assessed Ukraine’s military strategy, saying Zelensky’s goal was “to make us nervous and worried, shifting troops from one sector to another to stop our offensive in key areas, primarily in Donbass. Did it work? No.”