Media Talk Africa Exclusive: Putin Warns against ‘Illusory’ Attempts to Defeat Russia as UN Chief Arrives for Talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning against attempts to defeat Russia on the battlefield, describing such efforts as "illusory". The warning comes as the Russian leader prepares to meet with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan.
Putin’s comments are seen as a response to growing pressure from the international community to end the conflict in Ukraine, which has been ongoing since Russia launched a full-scale military campaign in February 2022. The Russian president has faced criticism from his BRICS allies, who have called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Guterres, who has been a vocal critic of Moscow’s actions in Ukraine, is expected to use the meeting to reaffirm his well-known positions on the war. A UN spokesman said the secretary-general was on standby to offer mediation, but was waiting for the right conditions.
The meeting has been met with skepticism from Ukraine, which has strongly condemned Guterres’s decision to meet with Putin. Ukrainian officials have described Putin as a "criminal" and accused him of demanding the surrender of Ukrainian territory as a precondition for a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Russian lawmakers have voted to ratify a defence treaty with North Korea, which provides for "mutual assistance" in the event of aggression. The move has raised concerns about the potential involvement of North Korean troops in the conflict in Ukraine.
The BRICS summit has seen several world leaders call for an end to the conflict, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Key Developments:
- Putin warns against "illusory" attempts to defeat Russia on the battlefield
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrives in Kazan for talks with Putin
- Russian lawmakers ratify defence treaty with North Korea
- Several world leaders call for an end to the conflict in Ukraine
- Ukraine condemns Guterres’s decision to meet with Putin
What’s Next:
- The meeting between Putin and Guterres is expected to take place later today
- The outcome of the talks will be closely watched by the international community
- The situation in Ukraine remains volatile, with fighting ongoing in the eastern Donetsk region
Stay tuned for further updates as this story continues to unfold.
