Beijing [China], September 4 (ANI): Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday (local time) signaled openness to holding talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while also calling for an end to the “unipolar world” and criticizing Western sanctions imposed under the pretext of the Ukraine conflict.
Speaking at a press briefing following his four-day visit to China, Putin said he has “never ruled out” the possibility of meeting his Ukrainian counterpart, provided the dialogue is well-prepared and results-oriented. “If Zelenskyy is ready, he can come to Moscow. This is quite possible,” he said, while adding that such a meeting must align with Ukraine’s constitutional framework.
At the same time, he reaffirmed Russia’s opposition to Ukraine’s potential NATO membership, calling it a direct threat to Russian security, though he expressed less resistance to Kyiv’s European Union ambitions. “Every country has the right to choose how to ensure its security, including Ukraine. But no country can ensure its security at the expense of another country, such as Russia,” he stressed.
The comments drew a sharp rebuke from Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, who accused Putin of making “knowingly unacceptable” proposals while ignoring serious offers from at least seven countries—including Austria, Switzerland, Turkiye, the Holy See, and three Gulf states—to host peace talks. “Only increased pressure can force Russia to finally get serious about the peace process,” Sybiha said in a post on X.
Beyond the Ukraine issue, Putin used the platform to promote his vision of a multipolar global order. He argued that the current “unipolar world” is unfair and must give way to a system where no nation dominates politics or security. “Everyone has equal rights in this multipolar world. Yes, there are economic giants like India or China, and our country is among the top four biggest economies in terms of purchasing power parity. But that doesn’t mean anyone should dominate global politics or security,” Putin stated, highlighting the roles of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as vehicles for such cooperation.
The Russian leader also dismissed Western sanctions as politically motivated measures that go beyond the Ukraine conflict. “The Ukraine situation is only a pretext to take various steps against countries that have economic ties with us,” he said, citing recent tariffs on Brazil, India, and China as examples. He argued that the real driver behind such sanctions is growing economic imbalance between the West and emerging powers.
Putin further linked the sanctions to trade disputes with Washington, particularly under US President Donald Trump, whose tariff policies have strained relations with several countries. India has been hit with a 50 per cent tariff on imports, plus an additional 25 per cent penalty for its purchase of Russian crude oil. “What does Ukraine have to do with this? Nothing. It’s only about domestic politics,” Putin said.
Reflecting on his visit to China, Putin described the outcomes as “very positive,” noting forward-looking agreements and mentioning candid discussions with leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their car ride at the SCO summit. (ANI)
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