In a shocking development that has incensed Ukrainian officials, it appears that United Nations Secretary General António Guterres is planning to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin later this week. The meeting, reportedly set to take place on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, has drawn sharp criticism from Ukraine who argues it undermines the UN’s credibility.
“The UN secretary general declined Ukraine’s invitation to the first global peace summit in Switzerland. He did, however, accept the invitation to Kazan from war criminal Putin,” lamented the Ukrainian foreign ministry in a scathing statement. They contend that meeting with Putin at this juncture “does not advance the cause of peace” and instead “damages the UN’s reputation.”
While the UN has not officially confirmed Guterres’ travel plans, inside sources indicate an announcement is imminent. If the meeting proceeds, it would mark Guterres’ first trip to Russia in over two years and comes at a time of escalating tensions and bloodshed in the protracted conflict.
Deadly Missile Strike in Zaporizhzhia
News of the potential Putin-Guterres meeting comes as Ukraine reels from a devastating Russian missile attack on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia. The strike, which targeted the city center, killed at least two civilians and injured 15 others according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov.
The attack caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, including a kindergarten and over 30 residential buildings. It serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing human toll of this war, even as diplomatic machinations unfold behind the scenes.
Concerns Over North Korean Involvement
Further complicating matters are emerging reports that North Korea may be sending troops to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine. South Korean intelligence services estimate some 1,500 North Korean special forces have already deployed to Vladivostok, possibly the vanguard of a larger contingent of up to 12,000 soldiers.
They represent the first element of what could be a 12,000-strong, four-brigade deployment.
– Guardian Defence and Security Editor Dan Sabbagh
The US State Department warned this would be a “dangerous and highly concerning development” while South Korea and Britain cautioned about the steep price Moscow may have to pay Pyongyang for such assistance. South Korea has summoned the Russian ambassador to formally protest the reported dispatch of North Korean troops.
Weapons, Sanctions, and Loan Commitments
Amid the din of diplomatic disputes and battlefield developments, the nuts and bolts of military aid and economic pressure grind on:
- Britain pledged an additional £2.26 billion loan to Ukraine for weapons purchases
- The US prepares an $800 million aid package for Ukrainian drone production
- Dozens of US lawmakers urge tougher sanctions on Russian oil, question exception for company SLB
- G7 members expected to confirm $50 billion loan program for Ukraine
Yet as welcome as these commitments are in Kyiv, President Zelenskyy continues to press allies for even more – from full NATO membership to longer-range missiles to strike deep inside Russia. Ukraine faces a grueling winter and relentless Russian assaults in the east that have forced a series of retreats.
The Road Ahead
As the Putin-Guterres meeting looms, the war in Ukraine stands at a precarious juncture. Diplomatic initiatives are met with skepticism, even hostility, while fighting rages unabated and civilian suffering mounts. The international community appears as divided and conflicted as ever in its approach to the crisis.
Ukraine’s furious reaction to the UN chief’s Russia trip underscores the depth of mistrust and emotional toll of this war. For Kyiv, anything short of unwavering support for their cause is viewed as betrayal. Yet the realities of geopolitics often necessitate dialogue, however unpalatable, in the search for peace.
As the world watches and waits, the outcome of the Guterres-Putin meeting, the scale of North Korea’s involvement, the impact of sanctions and aid will all shape the next chapter of this devastating conflict. One thing seems certain: the road ahead for Ukraine remains arduous and uncertain, with no easy answers or quick resolutions in sight.
