Moscow, March 28 (IANS) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated Moscow’s commitment to resolving the Ukraine conflict through peaceful means, provided that the root causes of the crisis are effectively addressed. Describing the situation as complex and requiring a “careful approach,” Putin underscored the necessity of eliminating the fundamental issues that triggered the conflict.
“We support resolving all these issues through peaceful means, but with the removal of the original causes that led to the current situation,” Putin stated during a meeting with the Russian Navy.
The Russian President also expressed Moscow’s willingness to engage with European nations in efforts to settle the Ukraine crisis. However, he cautioned against excessive trust in the West, highlighting past inconsistencies in Western engagement.
“We are also ready to work with Europe, but they act inconsistently, constantly trying to deceive us. However, we are accustomed to this. I hope we will avoid making mistakes based on excessive trust in our so-called partners,” Putin remarked, as reported by the state-run TASS news agency.
Western Nations Bolster Support for Ukraine
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities at a summit held in Paris. The event, part of the “Coalition of the Willing” initiative, convened international allies to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine amidst uncertainties over continued U.S. assistance.
Macron revealed a Franco-British plan to dispatch a team to Ukraine to aid in shaping the future structure of its armed forces. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined Macron in leading the coordination efforts for Ukraine’s international coalition of allies.
Addressing the ongoing sanctions on Russia, Macron and Starmer maintained that the conditions for lifting punitive measures had not yet been met. Their statements followed the U.S. announcement earlier this week that it would begin lifting some sanctions on Moscow, particularly in the agricultural trade sector.
Russia Warns Against Western Military Intervention
In response to Western discussions, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova firmly opposed the potential deployment of Western peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. She warned that such a move could escalate tensions, potentially leading to a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.
“This scenario could result in a direct clash between Russia and NATO. London and Paris are devising military intervention plans in Ukraine under the guise of a peacekeeping operation,” Zakharova stated.
Progress in Russia-U.S. Consultations on Ukraine Crisis
Amid diplomatic efforts, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that Moscow and Washington share a mutual interest in advancing peaceful resolutions to the Ukraine conflict. He acknowledged ongoing consultations and an understanding between the two nations on finding a settlement path.
Following high-level discussions in Riyadh, Russia and the U.S. reached an agreement regarding the implementation of the Black Sea initiative. This agreement includes measures to enhance the safety of maritime navigation. The terms will take effect once sanctions on Russian banks involved in agricultural trade and mineral fertilizer transactions are lifted.
As diplomatic engagements continue, geopolitical tensions remain high, with both sides navigating complex negotiations in pursuit of a sustainable resolution to the Ukraine crisis.
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