Daily Nation Newspaper

RUSSIA-UKRAINE: PEACE-TALKS

- JUSTN MUPUNDU, Human Rights Defender.

RU S S I A N Pre s iden t Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpar­t, Volodymr Zelensky should unconditio­nally cease fire and settle for peace talks.

Russia‘s urgent ceasefire action is the unconditio­nal and immediate withdrawal of its troops from Ukraine.

No-one wins a war: Innocent civilians’ lives have been ruined since February 24 when Russia invaded Ukraine.

There’s need to heed former US President Donald Trump’s call for peace talks.

We need to live in peace and not pieces as brothers and sisters of “One Global Village.”

I’m ready to join President Trump and other RussiaUkra­ine conflict mediators.

President Putin should also refrain from emotional outbursts: Threats to use deadly weapons on the innocent civilian population­s.

The Russian leader should rise above self-interests as anger affronts reasoning: Let him calm down for him to clearly see consequenc­es of his threats and war.

Systematic raping of girls and women, abduction of children, and spilling of human blood in Ukraine - a situation that has degenerate­d into war crimes and crimes against humanity.

President Zelensky and his Russian counterpar­t should swallow their pride: Sit on a face-to-face dialogue.

However, Russian Ambassador to Zambia A Yarakamedo­v’s assertions about peace talks with pre-conditions is undesirabl­e.

Peace process where pre-conditions reign robs its success prospects: Let the Russian envoy help his boss ceasefire, and sit around the table for peace talks.

The Russia-Ukraine issues of conflict can be resolved amicably: Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.

The long-standing conflict ever since Russia annexed the two republics from Ukraine in 2014.

The Crimea peninsula, and the so-called “illegal referendum­s” held recently in Donetsk and Lugansk, will also dominate the peacetalk’s agenda.

Neverthele­ss, whatever conflict of interests that exist between the neighbouri­ng countries (former Soviet Union Republics) can be resolved amicably.

The Russia-Ukraine peace talks should, in addition to Crimea, involve the two splinter republics, which Russia annexed from Ukraine.

Let all peace-loving statesmen and mediators resolve to help collective­ly: In the spirit of love and compassion for humanity, global peace and security.

 ?? ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Zambia