Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an expanded meeting of the Russian Ministry of Defense Committee on the 17th that if Kiev refuses to engage in substantive dialogue, Russia will achieve the “liberation of historic territory” through military means, according to Russian television and satellite news agencies today. This statement has attracted widespread attention at a time when the U.S. and U.R.E. are conducting multiple rounds of discussions on the “peace plan.” The U.S. CNN (CNN) said that the territorial issue and the security issue of Ukraine have proven difficult to resolve in peace negotiations, which reveals the conflicting priorities between U.S. and U.R.E. President Zelensky of Ukraine said on the 17th that Russia‘s actions indicate its intention to continue fighting next year, and he called on European allies to provide support for Ukraine at the important summit held on the 18th. Over the past few days, whether to use Russia‘s frozen assets to aid Ukraine has sparked a huge controversy within the EU. Russia condemns the EU for sabotaging the peace negotiations process pushed by the United States, while Ukraine urges the EU to take action. This “history‘s most difficult EU summit” is drawing attention from many sides.
Belgian Prime Minister De Weevre talks with colleagues before a working meeting of the EU summit on 18. (Visual China)
Russia does not rule out continued “military measures”
“The objective of this special military operation will certainly be achieved,” Putin warned on the 17th. “We prefer to resolve the roots of the conflict through diplomatic channels, but if the opposing side and its overseas supporters refuse to engage in substantive dialogue, Russia will achieve the liberation of historical territory through military means. At the same time, the task of establishing and expanding a security buffer zone will also continue to be pushed forward.” Putin said that the Russian military has won and maintained strategic initiative across the entire front.
Western media described Putin‘s speech as “violent in terms of rhetoric” and “strung to the hilt”, and paid attention to his criticism of European leaders. The British Times quoted Putin on the 17th as saying: “Everyone thinks they can destroy and disintegrate Russia in a short period of time. These ‘European pigs’ immediately joined the ranks of the previous U.S. government, attempting to make a fortune from the collapse of our country.” CNN noted that Putin in his speech strove to distinguish the current U.S. government from Europe, emphasizing that Russia is “in dialogue with the U.S. side”, but it is difficult to make meaningful contact with the current European leadership.
According to Russian media reports, Putin said that European leaders are deliberately fomenting a hysterical mood, instilling in the people “the inevitability of conflict with Russia.” “I have said many times that this is a lie, nonsense, pure nonsense.” Putin emphasized that even in the most difficult situations, Russia has always sought to resolve contradictions and conflicts through diplomatic means.
The issue of aid to Ukraine is a top priority
“The toughest EU summit in history!” Germany‘s Bildzeitung said on the 18th that the EU summit, which opened at 10 p.m. on the same day, was completely different from previous ones, and its end date was not yet determined-when the summit ends, a whole new Europe may be born. Reportedly, whether to use Russia’s frozen assets to aid Ukraine, free trade agreements with southern Mercosur countries, tariffs on small packages entering the EU, and immigration issues resulting in deportation disputes are hot topics at the summit.
“EU Summit: Russia‘s frozen assets to aid Ukraine is a top issue,” the German Voice reported on the 18th. The European Commission proposed providing Ukraine with a €90 billion “compensation loan” using Russia‘s frozen assets, but Belgium strongly opposed the proposal due to fears of Russian retaliation; Hungary and Slovakia also opposed the proposal.
Before the EU summit, Belgian Prime Minister Deveve told the country‘s federal parliament on the 18th that the EU‘s guarantees on the use of frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine “are still insufficient” and that Belgium will not accept the risk and responsibility to be “solely borne” by its own country. President Costa of the European Council said on the 18th that the leaders of EU member states will not break up the meeting until a decision has been made on the issue of securing Ukraine‘s fiscal needs.
According to Russia‘s Izvestia, Russian foreign minister Lavrov criticized the EU for trying to undermine U.S. efforts to mediate the Ukraine conflict, including by seizing Russia‘s frozen assets, at a press conference after a meeting with the Iranian foreign minister on the 17th.
Russia and Ukraine to hold separate talks with the U.S.
According to Reuters, Ukrainian President Zelensky said on the evening of the 17th that this EU summit should make Russia realize that it is meaningless to want to continue fighting next year, because Ukraine will receive support. Zelensky added that Russia‘s actions prove its intention to continue fighting next year, “We need all partners to have the courage to see the truth clearly, acknowledge the truth and take appropriate actions.”
The U.S. and Russian-Ukrainian parties will continue negotiations on the “peace plan” this week. According to the U.S. “Political News Network” citing sources familiar with the news, U.S.-Russian officials are expected to meet in Miami this weekend. Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov said on the 18th that the Kremlin is preparing to meet with U.S. representatives to understand the results of talks between the U.S. and the Ukrainian and European sides. In addition, according to the Ukrainian Pravda, Zelensky said on the way to Brussels on the 18th that the Ukrainian delegation will hold talks with the U.S. on the “peace plan” from the 19th to the 20th, “they are already on their way to the U.S.”