UN Secretary-General Guterres Meets Putin Amid Ukraine War Tensions
In a significant diplomatic development, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time since April 2022. This meeting, scheduled against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, has drawn criticism from Ukraine's Foreign Ministry. The ministry condemned Guterres for declining an invitation to Ukraine's Peace Summit while agreeing to attend the BRICS summit in Kazan, suggesting that this decision undermines the UN's credibility. The Kremlin, however, views this meeting as a potential step towards dialogue, despite the lack of official negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv since early 2022. Guterres has consistently emphasized that the annexation of Ukrainian territories is unacceptable in the modern world, labeling the war as an open wound in Europe.
Geopolitical Context and the BRICS Summit
The timing of Guterres' visit coincides with the BRICS summit in Kazan, where Putin aims to showcase Russia's alliances with emerging nations, including China, Iran, and North Korea. This summit is described by the Kremlin as the most significant diplomatic event ever held in Russia, with increased security measures in place due to ongoing tensions and drone attacks from Ukraine. Putin's meetings with leaders like Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi highlight Russia's strategic pivot towards Asia amid Western sanctions. Discussions at the summit will also address the escalating situation in the Middle East and the development of an alternative international payment system to challenge the dominance of SWIFT, from which many Russian banks have been excluded.
North Korea's Involvement in the Ukraine Conflict
Adding to the complexity of the situation, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is reportedly sending troops to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. According to South Korean intelligence, a Russian-flagged ship was detected transporting North Korean soldiers, with an estimated 12,000 troops mobilized to aid Putin's efforts. This includes a contingent of 1,500 special forces already stationed in the Russian Far East, poised for deployment after completing their training. This development underscores the deepening military collaboration between North Korea and Russia, potentially altering the dynamics of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
