For the first time since April 2022, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will be traveling to Russia, where he is expected to meet with President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. The meeting, set to take place on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, has sparked controversy and raised eyebrows within the international community.
Moscow sees this summit as an opportunity to demonstrate to the West that its efforts to isolate Russia over the Ukraine offensive have been unsuccessful. The Kremlin has stated that the discussion between Guterres and Putin will encompass “topical issues on the international agenda,” including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the situation in Ukraine. However, the UN has not officially confirmed the meeting, adding to the air of uncertainty surrounding the event.
During a press briefing, Guterres’ deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq was questioned about the Secretary-General’s intended trip to Kazan. Haq simply stated, “Announcements on his (Guterres) future travels will be later on down the line,” leaving the international community to speculate on the reasons behind the UN’s reluctance to confirm the meeting.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has vehemently condemned Guterres’ decision to meet with Putin, seeing it as a blow to their efforts to end the ongoing conflict. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry declared that the meeting “does not advance the cause of peace” and “damages the UN’s reputation.”
Ukraine’s anger stems from the fact that Guterres declined an invitation to attend the first Global Peace Summit in Switzerland, yet accepted Putin’s invitation to Kazan. This decision, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, is seen as a betrayal of their cause, especially considering that they are actively seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
It is noteworthy that Guterres has consistently criticized Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine, labeling it a “dangerous precedent” for the international community. He has also advocated for a “just peace” that respects international law and upholds Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
During his visit to Russia in April 2022, two months after the Russian offensive began, Guterres engaged in discussions with Putin regarding humanitarian aid and the evacuation of civilians from conflict zones. However, despite these previous discussions, there are currently no signs of either Kyiv or Moscow showing any willingness to engage in broader talks to bring an end to the two-and-a-half-year-long conflict.
Putin has imposed a precondition for a ceasefire, demanding Ukraine effectively capitulate by relinquishing territory in the south and east of the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected any possibility of ceding land for a peace deal and has ruled out direct talks with Putin.
Last month, Zelenskyy addressed the UN Security Council – of which Russia is a permanent member – stating that “Moscow can only be forced into peace.”
The upcoming meeting between Guterres and Putin has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the already complex geopolitical landscape. The implications of this encounter, particularly in light of Ukraine’s strong objections, will be closely watched by the international community.