Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed that the future of the relationship between Russia and the United States post-election would depend on the attitude Washington adopts. Despite facing calls from important allies to end the fighting in Ukraine, Putin warned the West that it would be an “illusion” to think Russia could be defeated on the battlefield and that any peace deal must recognize Russia’s control of Ukrainian territory. The upcoming U.S. election is seen as critical in determining the course of future ties between the two superpowers and the conflict in Ukraine. Trump has expressed a desire to end the Ukraine conflict, a sentiment which Putin welcomed as sincere.
At the BRICS summit in the city of Kazan, leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gathered to discuss diplomatic initiatives. Putin stated that Moscow was open to considering peace proposals from the BRICS leaders, but emphasized that any deal must take into account the realities on the ground, referring to Russian-controlled Ukrainian territory. The Kremlin leader has previously demanded that Kyiv pull its troops back as a precondition to ceasefire talks. He also criticized the West for believing that Russia could be defeated on the battlefield, stating that such calculations were based on illusionary thinking.
Accusations of Russia escalating the conflict in Ukraine have been met with denials from Putin, who instead accused Ukraine and the West of aggravating the situation. Reports of North Korean troops being deployed to Russia’s western Kursk region have raised concerns, with Kyiv mounting a cross-border offensive in response. The conflict in Ukraine has become a focal point for international attention, with calls for peace and immediate ceasefires coming from world leaders at the summit. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pleaded for a just peace in Ukraine and demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the release of hostages and cessation of hostilities in Lebanon.
Other leaders at the summit echoed the need for peace, with Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasizing the importance of ending conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. He called on BRICS countries to be a stabilizing force for peace and advocated for a two-state solution in the region. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized the UN Security Council’s role in resolving crises, stating that international bodies lack the efficiency to extinguish conflicts. The summit highlighted the urgent need for dialogue, negotiation, and cooperation to address the ongoing conflicts in various regions, including Ukraine, Gaza, and Lebanon. Putin’s response to the international community’s calls for peace will likely impact the future trajectory of the Ukraine conflict and Russia’s relationships with other countries.
