USA supports proposal for peace summit with Russia
Published: Tuesday, Jul 16th 2024, 02:10
Updated At: Tuesday, Jul 16th 2024, 05:30
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The USA supports Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selensky's proposal to invite Russian representatives to a second peace conference in the war that has been going on for more than two years.
"It is up to Ukraine to decide when and how and in what condition it undertakes diplomatic negotiations," said US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller in Washington. "We support the Ukrainian government." Miller told journalists whether the USA approved Zelensky's proposal to invite Russia to the meeting, in contrast to the first peace summit in Switzerland in mid-June.
Only Ukraine itself can decide, said Miller. A just peace is needed. "Ukraine is the victim here, Ukraine sees its country being invaded." That is why it decides whether and in what format there are negotiations. "But it has never been clear whether the Kremlin is prepared to engage in actual diplomacy," said Miller. Even before the war, the USA had been committed to a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Today, the country is the largest supplier of weapons for a military solution.
Kiev: Plan for second peace summit in November
Selensky had previously told journalists in Kiev that Russian representatives should take part in a second peace summit. "I have set the task of having a completely finished plan in November. When the plan is ready, everything will be ready for the second summit."
Preparatory negotiations are planned until then in Qatar, in Turkey this summer and in Canada in September, said Selenskyj, who has submitted a peace plan himself. A key point in this plan is the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. Moscow had rejected this as unrealistic.
Russia itself has repeatedly affirmed that it is willing to negotiate - but on condition that Kiev cedes territory, among other things. Ukraine rejects this. Russia would not take part in such a Selensky summit, said the head of the Russian State Duma's Foreign Affairs Committee, Leonid Sluzki. He described the Ukrainian leadership as "puppets" controlled by the West, from whom Moscow would not allow any conditions to be dictated.
Sluzki emphasized that a number of states have presented peace initiatives and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has presented a plan. He also pointed out that Russia no longer recognizes Zelensky as president after his term of office officially expired. However, Zelensky is still considered the legitimate head of state due to martial law. However, Russia only recognizes the parliament and its chairman as legitimate.
Boycott for Hungary because of Orban's solo effort
Meanwhile in Europe, the EU Commission is drawing the consequences of Hungary's Ukraine policy. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ordered a boycott, partly because of a trip abroad by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to Moscow. Accordingly, only high-ranking officials, not Commissioners, will be allowed to attend future informal ministerial meetings under the leadership of the current EU Council Presidency in Hungary.
According to a spokesperson, the EU Commission is also foregoing its traditional inaugural visit to the Hungarian Presidency. Initially, there was an indignant reaction from Budapest from the Minister for European Union Affairs, Janos Boka.
Washington against strikes with US weapons against Russia
The USA is also sticking to its decision not to authorize the use of its supplied weapons for strikes on military bases in the Russian hinterland. Attacks on Russian regions close to the border from which air strikes against Ukraine are carried out are permitted, said ministry spokesman Miller. The USA did not want to go any further.
Selensky had repeatedly called for Western weapons to be released for strikes against military targets far into the Russian hinterland. Until now, the country has used its own drones and missiles for this purpose. Russia had warned the West against allowing weapons from the NATO states to be used for attacks on its territory. The country accuses the USA and Ukraine's other Western allies of already being deeply involved in the war.
In Washington, State Department spokesman Miller emphasized that the USA has been supplying Ukraine with weapons for more than two years in order to defend itself against Russian attacks. The aim is to equip the country with an air defense system and the announced F-16 fighter jets so that it can protect itself from Russian air attacks. Selensky had also previously called for at least 25 Patriot air defense systems.
Since the start of the war, Ukraine has received at least four Patriot systems, including three from Germany alone. However, according to media reports, several launch pads have either been destroyed or damaged by Russian air strikes. A complete system comprising radar, antennas, fire control and command posts and several launch pads costs the equivalent of several hundred million euros. According to various sources, the unit price for a modern anti-aircraft missile is the equivalent of a good three million euros.
©Keystone/SDA
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