Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that the Kremlin supports a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict, provided that the underlying causes of the situation are addressed. He described the conflict as complex and emphasized the need for a “careful approach” during a meeting with the Russian Navy.
“We advocate for resolving these issues through peaceful means, but this must include addressing the original triggers of the current situation,” Putin stated. He also expressed Moscow’s willingness to collaborate with Europe on resolving the Ukrainian issue but cautioned against placing excessive trust in the West, noting that they behave inconsistently and often attempt to deceive Russia.
At a summit in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron announced several initiatives to support Ukraine amid uncertainties regarding ongoing U.S. assistance. Following a meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing,” Macron revealed a Franco-British plan to send a team to Ukraine to help shape the future of its army. He and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will jointly coordinate efforts within Ukraine’s international coalition of allies.
Starmer indicated that now is not the time to lift sanctions against Russia, a sentiment echoed by Macron, who asserted that lifting sanctions is premature. This comes after the U.S. announced on Tuesday its intention to begin lifting some sanctions on Moscow, particularly concerning agricultural trade.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova expressed strong opposition to the potential deployment of Western peacekeepers in Ukraine, warning it could lead to a direct conflict between Russia and NATO. She accused London and Paris of planning a military intervention in Ukraine under the guise of a peacekeeping mission.
Earlier this week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that both Moscow and Washington are mutually interested in advancing efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis. He highlighted a shared desire for a peaceful settlement and confirmed an agreement following discussions in Riyadh regarding the implementation of the Black Sea initiative, which includes measures to ensure navigational safety. These agreements will come into effect once sanctions on Russian banks that facilitate trade in agricultural products and fertilizers are lifted.
