Few in West are inching for peace: Proclaims Russia

Few in West are inching for peace: Proclaims Russia

On Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that certain voices in the West were proposing discussions on peace in Ukraine due to the perceived failure of the United States and its allies to overcome Russian forces in the country. Despite nearly two years passing since Russia’s extensive invasion of Ukraine, Moscow currently commands approximately 17.5% of Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian attempts at a counter-offensive this year have not yielded significant territorial gains, encountering formidable resistance from Russian forces defending key fronts with intricate minefields and swarms of drones.

In an interview with RIA state news agency and the Rossiya 24 TV channel, Lavrov highlighted indications of a shift in the West’s tactics and strategy concerning Ukraine. Lavrov remarked that the West is indeed altering its tactics—perhaps even contemplating a clarification of its strategy. If ‘the strategic defeat of Russia’ is indeed a strategy, pardon the tautology, then this strategy has failed miserably. He also noted suggestions from some quarters urging Russia to engage in discussions with a European party willing to negotiate about Ukraine without involving Ukraine itself. Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s commitment to achieving all its objectives in Ukraine.

Any peace agreement is unlikely 

While President Vladimir Putin has expressed readiness to discuss peace in Ukraine, he emphasizes it must be on Russia’s terms. U.S. officials speculate that Putin might be waiting until the 2024 U.S. presidential election before making significant moves toward peace. Ukraine insists on the complete withdrawal of Russian soldiers from its territory, adhering to the borders defined in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The West asserts it won’t compel Ukraine into a peace agreement.

More to read: Putin invites ‘friend’ Modi to Moscow

Putin frames the conflict in Ukraine as a struggle for Russian survival against a perceived plot by the arrogant West to divide Russia and exploit its abundant natural resources. U.S. President Joe Biden clarifies that the West’s aim is not to destroy Russia but to support Kyiv in defeating Moscow’s forces on Ukrainian soil. Biden had previously characterized Russia’s actions in Ukraine in 2022 as a “strategic failure.”

Ukrainian President Zelenskiy’s 10-point peace plan advocates for the withdrawal of Russian troops, cessation of hostilities, and the restoration of Ukraine’s state borders with Russia. Moscow dismisses Zelenskiy’s proposal as absurd, citing its exclusion of Russia from the negotiation process.