By Rorisang Modiba
- Putin met with Palestinian, Zimbabwean and Burkinabe presidents as Europe and the US pressured him over the war in Ukraine.
- The one-on-one talks came during a major military anniversary marking Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II.
The one-on-one talks came during a major military anniversary marking Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sat down with three international leaders during a military celebration in Moscow — and Europe took the chance to pressure him over the war in Ukraine.
Putin met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré during the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II.
In talks with Abbas, Putin said they should look at how Russia could help reduce the ongoing violence in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, European countries issued a warning.
France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Poland told Putin they wanted him to agree to a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. They said the United States supported the move and that President Joe Biden had been briefed earlier.
The planned ceasefire would begin on Monday. The four countries said this would show strong support for Ukraine — and if Putin says no, they are ready to ramp up pressure.
The message was clear: stop the fighting or face even more trouble.
Pictured above: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
Image source: @presidentmnangagwa
