Putin on Ukraine negotiations: Europeans and other countries can take part in talks
Within the EU, fears have recently grown of being excluded from negotiations in view of the rapprochement between the USA and Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has given European countries a role in possible negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine. "The Europeans, but also other countries, have the right and the opportunity to participate - and we respect that," Putin said in a television interview on Monday. Within the EU, fears have recently grown that they will be excluded from negotiations in view of the direct talks between the USA and Russia.
Part of a possible peace agreement could also be Kiev's promise to give the US access to the country's raw materials in return for American support. As Trump announced, an agreement to this effect has almost been reached.
With a view to the impending deal on access to Ukraine's rare earths by the United States, Putin now spoke out in favor of US investment in the mining of raw materials in the Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine. "We are ready to invite foreign partners to our new historical territories that have been returned to Russia," Putin continued. Russia is ready "to work with our partners, including the Americans, in the new regions." Many of the raw materials are located in areas that are currently occupied by Russia.
US President Trump had previously said on the sidelines of a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron that an end to the war could possibly be achieved “in weeks” .
Macron warned, however, that a peace solution for Ukraine should not consist of the country's "capitulation" to Russia. Macron also stressed that a ceasefire must be linked to security guarantees for Kiev. "We want a quick deal, but not a fragile deal," he said. Europe is ready to "go as far as sending troops" for peace in Ukraine. But Macron also stressed that "strong" US involvement is necessary in securing such an agreement.
Parallel to the talks between Trump and Macron in Washington, the differences between the USA and the Europeans became very clear at the UN in New York. The UN General Assembly passed a resolution introduced by Ukraine and European and other allied states demanding the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The USA, Russia and 16 other states voted against it.
Berliner-zeitung
