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News Topical, Digital Desk : The impact of the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin is beginning to show. During the meeting with Putin, PM Modi had talked about building a consensus for peace in Ukraine. Now Putin's big statement regarding Ukraine has come to the fore.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said it was possible to reach a consensus on security guarantees for Ukraine, though he reiterated that Moscow would never accept Kiev joining NATO.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has said security guarantees for his country, including support from allies such as NATO, must be part of any solution to Russia's aggression. Ukraine and its allies have stepped up work on what they can provide to keep any deal struck with Putin.
Options exist to ensure Ukraine's security: Putin
"There are options to ensure Ukraine's security if the conflict ends," President Putin said during a meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Beijing on Tuesday. “That said, I think there is an opportunity to build a consensus here.”
Ukraine joining NATO is unacceptable: Putin
He further said that this issue was also raised during the meeting of the two leaders with US President Donald Trump in Alaska. Putin said that Russia has no objection to Ukraine's possible membership in the European Union, but joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) would be unacceptable to us.
Armed forces are needed for peace in Ukraine - NATO
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said a strong Ukrainian military backed by external assurances would be essential to the country's security.
"To keep the peace, Ukraine needs not only its own strong armed forces but also security guarantees from Kiev's allies," Rutte told reporters in Luxembourg on Tuesday.
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