In his maiden reaction post the Alaska summit with the US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin quoted the meet as ‘extremely useful and timely’. Putin’s remarks came during a televised meeting with the senior officials of Kremlin. Putin further added that Moscow will respect the position of Washington DC with regard to the Ukraine conflict and both the nations will continue to seek a peaceful resolution for the conflict in Kiev. Both USA and Russia has hailed the Alaska meet in a positive tone despite not being able to draw a clear deal or ceasefire.
Changed Stance of Trump
Prior to the meeting with Putin, Trump had threatened that the consequences would be severe if Russia doesn’t cooperate with the US on the Ukraine issue. He had also urged for an immediate ceasefire and if that was not possible Trump warned about the massive repercussions including an intimidation to impose additional sanctions on India, as New Delhi is a friend and vital trading partner of Russia.
However, post the summit with Putin, Trump’s stance seemed to be completely changed. In the aftermath of prolonged three hours conversation with the Russian President, Trump has asserted the talks as ‘extremely productive’, though there were no clear and concrete outcome from the meeting. Taking to his Truth social media platform, Trump wrote, “the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a peace agreement and not a mere ceasefire agreement, which often do not hold up”.
These statements of Trump are a clear transition from his previous stance where he reiterated for an immediate ceasefire. This position of Trump indeed raises apprehension regarding whether the negotiation table at Alaska were tilted towards Moscow. Infact, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had reiterated that Moscow’s position is clear and well-defined with respect to negotiations and the peace deal with USA on the Ukraine issue. The next round of negotiations between Washington DC and Moscow are said to be scheduled in Moscow in near future, based on Putin’s invitation to Trump.
Amidst ongoing negotiations between two superpowers, the future of Ukraine, its territorial integrity and strategic autonomy hangs in doldrums. Amidst the firmness of Kremlin in negotiations to not compromise on any aspect and the urgency of Trump to strike a deal and uplift his profile as a global ‘peacemaker’, the future of Kiev and its national security is at stake.
India welcomes the Trump-Putin meet
India has welcomed the meeting between Trump and Putin and has acknowledged the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in ending the conflict. The official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated, “India welcomes the Summit meeting in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia. Their leadership in the pursuit of peace is highly commendable”.
“India appreciates the progress made in the Summit. The way forward can only be through dialogue and diplomacy. The world wants to see an early end to the conflict in Ukraine”, MEA spokesperson added. India is been advocating dialogue and diplomacy as the ultimate solution to end the conflict since the war broke out between Russia and Ukraine.
In fact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi at many occasions has asserted that “this is not an era of war, but it is one of dialogue and diplomacy”. India has always stood on the ‘side of peace’ in any of the global conflicts.
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