Putin Welcomes Trump’s “Sincere” Desire to End Ukraine Conflict as BRICS Summit Concludes
Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed comments by US presidential candidate Donald Trump on his desire to end the Ukraine conflict as “sincere,” concluding a summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies in Kazan, Russia, Al Jazeera reports.
Putin, facing increasing pressure from allies for an end to the conflict, also warned the West that attempts to defeat Moscow on the battlefield were “an illusion.” He insisted that any peace deal must recognize Russia’s control of large swathes of Ukrainian territory, effectively demanding Kyiv’s capitulation as a precondition for negotiations.
Trump’s repeated expressions of skepticism towards Washington’s multi-billion dollar aid to Ukraine and his claim that he could end the fighting “in a matter of hours” if elected have garnered attention from both supporters and critics. Putin’s response, highlighting the “sincerity” of Trump’s stance, has raised questions about potential shifts in US policy toward Ukraine should Trump win the upcoming election.
The BRICS summit, attended by leaders and representatives of 36 countries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demonstrated the growing influence of the bloc and underscored the failure of US-led efforts to isolate Russia over its actions in Ukraine.
While expressing openness to peace initiatives and welcoming mediation offers from BRICS members, Putin maintained his stance on recognizing the “realities on the ground,” a clear reference to Russian-controlled Ukrainian territories.
The summit also witnessed the first visit to Russia by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in over two years, a move met with anger from the Ukrainian government. Guterres, calling for a “just peace” in line with the UN Charter and international law, urged an immediate end to conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Sudan.
Other world leaders at the summit echoed calls for an end to Israel’s wars in Lebanon and Gaza, with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas accusing Israel of attempting to starve civilians in Gaza and force them to flee.
Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted “serious challenges” facing the world and expressed hope that BRICS countries could act as a “stabilizing force for peace.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, condemning the UN Security Council’s perceived inaction, stated that international bodies “lack the necessary efficiency to extinguish the fire of this crisis.”
