Speaking at the plenary session of the Valdai International Debate Club, Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined Russia’s position on Ukraine and other international issues. The Russian position is stronger, so there will be no concessions either to the United States or to the newly elected President Donald Trump personally, says Pravda.Ru columnist Lyubov Stepushova.
The president noted that Russia recognized Ukraine’s borders as part of the agreements following the collapse of the Soviet Union, according to the Ukrainian Declaration of Independence, which states that Ukraine is a neutral state:
“And on this basis we recognized the borders. The new borders of Ukraine will depend on the dynamics of ongoing events and the opinions of the inhabitants of the historical territories of Russia. “We should not talk about a truce of half an hour or six months so that they can deliver projectiles.”
That is, there will be no stops according to the Korean scenario, the SVO will continue until completing the assigned tasks, the main of which is a new security treaty in Europe.
Putin justified why Russia did not violate international law by launching a military defense system in Ukraine.
1. There is an article in the United Nations Charter on the right to self-determination and there was a precedent from Kosovo.
“The International Court of Justice in Kosovo decided that a territory, when declaring its independence, is not obliged to seek the opinion and permission of the central authorities of the country in which that territory is included when making the decision.” – said the president.
2. “We understand and support the people who did not agree with the coup d’état (in 2014) as an unconstitutional act and we recognize their right to defend their interests and the right to self-determination.”
3. Russia had the right to conclude appropriate interstate agreements with these new states for their protection, including military protection, which was done.
Putin noted that Russia is ready for peace negotiations in Ukraine, but not “on the basis of ‘wish lists’, the name of which changes from month to month,” but on the basis of emerging realities and on the basis of the agreements reached in Istanbul.
According to Putin, NATO’s eastward expansion began to look like a “progressive intervention” aimed at destroying Russia. Ukraine was used as a tool against the Russian Federation:
“We will protect ourselves, our people, let no one get their hopes up about that.”
Furthermore, NATO is already formally “entering” Asia:
“Nothing good happens when closed political-military blocs are created under the obvious leadership of a major country.”
That is, Russia is ready, if necessary, to continue the war at an increasing pace, including the construction of a new economic model of world order together with the BRICS. However, Putin does not see an existential conflict with the West:
“Russia is going its own way. I hope you will not deviate from the path of pursuing your national interests. Of course, it must be integrated into the overall system; “We have never given up on it.”
Putin congratulated the president-elect of the United States on his victory. Invited to discuss the Ukrainian crisis:
“We are open to this, but to a large extent the ball is in the court of the United States, because we did not ruin relations with them, we did not impose restrictions or sanctions on them.”
The President of the Russian Federation noted that Russia has never allowed itself to incite conflicts near the United States and that Washington would do better not to provoke Moscow to avoid global conflicts. It can be understood that if this policy continues, Moscow will allow itself to respond in a similar way.
On China, Putin said that Russia cooperates and is a friend of China, not against anyone, and he does not believe that the People’s Republic of China is pursuing an aggressive policy in East Asia. By doing this, he made it clear to Trump that he would not trade his friendship with China in exchange for concessions on the Ukrainian crisis. The Russian Federation will be a friend to those who want it, but if they don’t, excuse me:
“At summits and bilateral meetings, Africans never just beg for anything. They don’t stay with their hands outstretched. Firstly, they are developing rapidly, and secondly, they feel that they have resources and opportunities. And thirdly, they ask only one thing: to establish natural and mutually beneficial cooperation.”
Keep in mind that Africa is the last source of cheap resources for the West.
Brief conclusions. Putin will not make concessions to Trump on his program to stop the war in Ukraine within 24 hours, as the Kremlin has a strong position and has no intention of rushing. Russia did not start the war with the West, so the ball is in its court. The Russian Armed Forces will work slowly in Ukraine until Trump understands that the realities are very different from his “wishes.”
