International Relations
Why is Ukraine not included in the anticipated peace talks between President Trump and President Putin?
According to Dr. Sergei Markov, the exclusion of Ukraine from peace talks appears to be a deliberate diplomatic decision. He indicates that previous U.S. administrations had frozen diplomatic relations between Russia and America, blocking negotiation channels. Dr. Markov suggests that effective peace talks should include only parties genuinely seeking peace, implying that current Ukrainian leadership may not align with this goal. The Trump-Putin discussions represent an opportunity to 'open the door to diplomacy' that had been previously closed, creating a necessary foundation for moving from war to peace.
Watch clip answer (01:08m)
WION
00:17 - 01:26
Why has it been difficult to achieve peace negotiations in the Ukraine conflict?
According to Dr. Sergei Markov, the United States and Western countries have been blocking diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict. He argues that Western powers were the main aggressors who overthrew Ukraine's democratically elected president in 2014, imposed what he describes as an 'illegal regime,' and initiated hostilities against Russia using Ukrainian territory. Markov contends that meaningful peace negotiations have been impossible under these circumstances, with Western countries actively obstructing diplomatic solutions. He suggests that only with Donald Trump's return to power might there be an opportunity for genuine peace talks, implying that previous leadership has been unwilling to engage in sincere diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
Watch clip answer (00:28m)WION
01:26 - 01:55
Who should be invited to peace talks regarding the Ukraine conflict?
According to Dr. Sergei Markov, peace talks should include only those who genuinely support peace rather than all parties. He argues that inviting those who want to undermine peace is senseless. Dr. Markov specifically criticizes Ukrainian President Zelensky as a 'maniac of the war' who continues the conflict because peace would cost him his power and subject him to investigation for failing his promise to bring peace to Ukraine. For effective diplomacy, Markov suggests that peace negotiations should prioritize participants who sincerely desire to end the war rather than including those who have vested interests in its continuation.
Watch clip answer (01:06m)WION
02:21 - 03:27
Why does Dr. Sergei Markov believe Zelensky should not be invited to peace negotiations?
According to Dr. Markov, there's no reason to invite Zelensky to discuss peace because he doesn't represent the true wishes of Ukrainians. While Ukrainians want peace as much as possible, Markov claims Zelensky only wants war. He contrasts this with Russian President Putin and potentially Donald Trump, who he believes represent the positions of their citizens. Markov further argues that those who genuinely support peace should come to a compromise first, suggesting that European leaders, like Zelensky, support war despite their citizens' wishes. He points to plummeting government popularity in Britain, France, and Germany as evidence that European people want to stop the war in Ukraine.
Watch clip answer (01:01m)WION
03:27 - 04:29
What are the challenges to achieving peace talks between Russia and the United States regarding Ukraine?
According to Dr. Sergei Markov, a key challenge is the exclusion of important parties like Ukrainian President Zelensky from negotiations, which undermines the entire peace process. He suggests that true diplomacy requires inclusivity rather than sidelining key stakeholders. Dr. Markov also highlights a disconnect between European leadership and public opinion, claiming that while Russian and American leaders represent their citizens' views, European leaders are out of touch with their populations' desire for peace. This misalignment creates additional obstacles to meaningful diplomatic progress in resolving the Ukraine conflict.
Watch clip answer (00:12m)WION
04:49 - 05:01
Who attended the diplomatic reception hosted by Indian President Draupadi Murmu for the Amir of Qatar?
Indian President Draupadi Murmu hosted Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, organizing a banquet in his honor. This high-profile diplomatic event was attended by several Indian dignitaries, including Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The gathering highlights the strengthening bilateral relations between India and Qatar, demonstrating India's commitment to fostering international diplomacy in the region. The presence of top Indian leadership underscores the importance given to this diplomatic engagement.
Watch clip answer (00:16m)
WION
01:57 - 02:14