"Russia Always Ready to Negotiate"
"Ukraine Issue, Priority to Hold Talks with the US"
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Russian government has stated that the current confrontation with the West is similar to the Cuban Missile Crisis between the United States and the Soviet Union 60 years ago, urging Western countries, including U.S. President Joe Biden, to actively engage in dialogue. This is analyzed to be because Russia, which had been passive in negotiations, now needs a swift ceasefire agreement due to worsening conditions on the Ukrainian front and deteriorating domestic and international public opinion.
According to TASS on the 30th (local time), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with state TV that there are "similarities" between the current situation in Ukraine and the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, explaining, "At that time and now, there was a direct threat to Russia's borders. Moreover, the threat now is closer than the Jupiter missiles that were in T?rkiye (Turkey) at the time. Additionally, military operations supporting Ukraine with all kinds of weapons are ongoing."
The Cuban Missile Crisis refers to the international crisis in October 1962 when the Soviet Union attempted to deploy nuclear ballistic missiles in Cuba, leading to a standoff with the United States that nearly escalated into nuclear war. Minister Lavrov’s mention of the Cuban Missile Crisis is interpreted as a reiteration of Russia’s potential use of nuclear weapons.
Lavrov stated, "What differs between then and now is that in 1962, Soviet Communist Party Secretary Nikita Khrushchev and U.S. President John F. Kennedy showed responsibility and wisdom, but currently, the United States and its satellite countries lack such will," adding, "I hope President Biden will demonstrate such wisdom."
He continued, "President Putin and Russia remain ready to negotiate," emphasizing, "We are always prepared to listen to proposals for easing Western tensions." This statement is interpreted as a hope for prompt negotiations with the West amid suggestions of a full withdrawal from major Ukrainian fronts due to worsening conditions.
The Kremlin also urged the United States to engage in dialogue with Russia. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov appeared on state television that day, saying, "To discuss the Ukraine issue, a meeting with the United States must first be held," and added, "I am 100% certain that U.S. officials are analyzing President Vladimir Putin’s remarks from the 27th," emphasizing, "At the very least, they must understand where Russia’s 'red lines' are and why those 'red lines' exist."
Earlier, on the 27th, President Putin said at the 'Valdai Club' meeting, an international forum of Russian experts, "This is the most dangerous decade since World War II," and stated, "The United States and its allies are playing a dangerous and bloody game in Ukraine, but eventually, they will have to talk with us."
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