Rejecting Zelensky’s peace formula, Russia looks at India-led Global South, BRICS for solution to Ukrainian crisis

Insisting that no meetings on the Ukraine crisis add any value without Russia’s participation, Moscow is hoping that its BRICS partners, including India, will “share their assessments” after attending the Jeddah talks on implementation of Ukrainian Peace Formula.

On August 5, Saudi Arabia hosted the second meeting of diplomatic national security advisors and political directors of foreign policy departments of the world’s leading countries on the key principles of restoring lasting and just peace for Ukraine, following the launch of the relevant format in Copenhagen in June.

The consultations saw in-person and online participation of National Security Advisors and political directors from 40 countries, including Russia’s BRICS partners India, China, Brazil and South Africa.

Stating that it is not aimed at finding a negotiated and diplomatic solution to the crisis, Russia on Monday rejected the 10-point Ukrainian Peace Formula straightaway.

“The consultations were attended by our BRICS allies and other partners. We hope they will share their assessments with us in keeping with the existing agreements, and we reiterate our stance on Zelensky’s so-called ‘peace formula’ which the Kyiv regime and the West try to promote at such meetings,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

Moscow instead said that it “greatly appreciates” the mediating and humanitarian initiatives advanced by its friends from countries of the Global South, that aim at reaching peace.

“By promoting Zelensky’s ‘formula’, the Kyiv regime and the West are attempting to belittle the great importance of peace initiatives proposed by other countries and to monopolise the right to their advancement,” Zakharova added.

As reported by IndiaNarrative.com, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who attended the Jeddah meeting, once again spotlighted India’s clear support for dialogue and diplomacy to find a way forward to end the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Andriy Yermak, Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office who headed the country’s delegation in Jeddah, has remained in touch with NSA Doval following the discussions held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky – the first meeting between the two leaders after the start of Russia-Ukraine conflict – in Hiroshima this May.

Kyiv maintains that the consultations in Jeddah over the weekend were a step towards the practical implementation of peace initiatives proposed by Ukraine.

“The meeting in Jeddah brought Ukraine closer to implementing the Peace Formula proposed by President Volodymyr Zelensky. Work continues on the preparation and holding of the Global Peace Summit. With each step, the number of countries that unconditionally respect Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity, sovereignty and are ready to work on a part or the whole of the Peace Formula is growing,” Yermak said today while commenting on the results of consultations at the level of diplomatic advisors in Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Japan’s Hiroshima on May 20 (File image courtesy: PIB)

All eyes will now be on the crucial 15th BRICS Summit, scheduled to be held in Johannesburg from August 22 to 24, which will also be the first in-person gathering of BRICS leaders in three years.

The Summit will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Presidents of Brazil, China and hosts South Africa while Russian President Vladimir Putin will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

It is expected that in Johannesburg, PM Modi will further carry forward his vision of utilising India’s current G20 presidency to give resonance to the voice of the Global South and the importance of South-South Cooperation to collectively shape the global agenda.

Meanwhile, ahead of the summit, Lavrov spoke with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Monday, discussing a number of “hot regional topics”, including the Ukrainian crisis.

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