Russian President Vladimir Putin launched military action against Ukraine on 24 February. Since then the war has continued continuously. The world has made several attempts at a ceasefire, but the Russian invasion continues unabated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is constantly in touch with other countries of the world including the heads of the two countries. India has been continuously advocating to find a solution to the problem through dialogue. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday that he is in close contact with countries including India, Turkey, China and Israel to mediate efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
“I am in close contact with a number of countries that are talking at the highest level of both sides to find out different ways of mediation for a political solution,” Guterres told reporters. “I have been in very close contact with my Turkish friends,” he said. Similarly, I have been in close contact with India as well as Qatar, Israel, China and France and Germany. I believe that all these efforts are necessary to create conditions for ending this war.’
Asked if all those countries were supporting his effort, Guterres said, “I hope so.”
Zelensky hints at agreement on eastern Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was ready to declare neutrality and negotiate a settlement on the country’s rebellious eastern areas. He made this announcement ahead of the next round of talks between the two countries to stop the war on Tuesday. However, Zelensky reiterated that only one-on-one talks with the Russian leader could end the war. Earlier video conferences and face-to-face talks had failed to make progress on the issue of stopping the war. So far thousands of people have died in this war and about 4 million Ukrainian citizens have been displaced.
Zelensky needs security guarantee
In an interview to an independent Russian media outlet, Zelensky hinted at possible concessions, adding that Ukraine’s priority was to ensure its sovereignty and prevent Moscow from alienating part of the country that some Western countries have been concerned about. To say that this is the goal of Russia. But, “we are prepared to maintain security guarantees and neutrality, the non-nuclear status of our country,” he said. Zelensky also stressed that in any agreement it must guarantee security.
Let us tell you that Russia has long demanded that Ukraine give up hope of joining the NATO alliance of the West because Moscow sees it as a threat to itself. Zelensky had suggested these measures in the past but did not speak so convincingly. It is believed that Zelensky’s latest remarks could give impetus to the talks in Istanbul. Russia has banned the publication of this interview.
America deployed six naval aircraft to strengthen NATO
The US Defense Department, the Pentagon, has said it is deploying six naval aircraft specializing in electronic warfare to strengthen North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) security in Eastern Europe. Apart from this, the US is deploying about 240 marines in Eastern Europe. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the EA-18G ‘Growler’ aircraft, based on Whidbey Island, a naval base in Washington state, will arrive at Spangdahlem Airport in Germany on Monday, where they will be stationed. According to a Pentagon spokesman, these planes will not be used in the Ukraine war. Meanwhile, a senior US defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, while discussing internal US intelligence assessments, said the situation on the ground in Ukraine had changed little.