Vladimir Putin has not left Russia since the start of the Ukraine war. Now he looks set to go on two state visits. In countries he can expect a little criticism.
Moscow – Russian President Vladimir Putin last made an official trip abroad in early February. This brought him to China, where he took part in the opening of the Olympics in Beijing. The Kremlin leader has not left his country since the start of the Ukraine war.
Coupled with Western sanctions, this gives the impression of isolation. But Putin, and thus Russia, are not so isolated. On Thursday (June 23), the heads of state of the so-called BRICS countries, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa meet, albeit only virtually, for their annual summit. Putin was present at the conference, hosted by Beijing this time. In his speech, he blamed the West for the global economic crisis and gave the BRICS countries a new leadership role. Incidentally, no criticism of the Russian invasion of Ukraine was heard from other participants.
Putin plans a trip abroad: his destination is the former Soviet republics of Central Asia
Now Vladimir Putin appears to be planning his first trip abroad in four months. Russian state broadcaster Rossiya 1 reported on Sunday (June 26) that it will visit two former Soviet republics in Central Asia in the new week. According to the report, he will first travel to Tajikistan and hold talks with President Emomali Rahmon. Tajikistan is a member of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). This military alliance also includes Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.
After that, according to the report, Putin wants to travel to Turkmenistan. There he will not only meet with President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, but also take part in a summit of countries bordering the Caspian Sea, including Iran, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. It was planned for Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to state agency Tass. Tensions could arise there, however, as Kazakhstan has refused to recognize the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics in eastern Ukraine.
Putin plans trip abroad: Kremlin chief attends G20 summit
Putin appears to have included another trip abroad on his calendar. Host country Indonesia invited him to the 2022 G20 summit in Bali, which is scheduled to take place on November 15 and 16. According to the Kremlin, participation has been promised. In addition to the European Union, the G20 includes 19 industrialized and developing countries, including Russia, China, India, Brazil and Turkey.
Putin plans trip abroad: Scholz can meet Putin at G20 summit
Putin’s presence puts EU heads of state in confusion, and a meeting with Putin does not appear to be advisable. But so far Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is still open to participate. It is clear that the group of leading economies will continue to play a “leading role” and close cooperation is important, Scholz said Monday (June 27) at the ZDF morning event. Therefore, he would only make a decision about participating in the summit “shortly before departure” and depending on the current situation.
Scholz also pointed out that the host Indonesia had also invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Chancellor emphasized that it was still not clear who would actually attend the meeting in Bali.
Putin plans a trip abroad: von der Leyen can sit at the table with the head of the Kremlin
On Sunday evening (June 26) at the ZDF, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen did not rule out sitting with Putin at the G20 summit. “It’s also important to tell him directly what we think of him,” he said. You have to think very carefully about crippling the entire G20. You don’t recommend it. The G20 is too important a body for that.
Putin and anti-Western alliance: Greater role of BRICS countries at UN sought
The G20 is also important to the European Union as Putin and China want to form the BRICS with its more than three billion people as a counter bloc to the Western-oriented G7 with its 771 million people. So advises Andrei Denisov, Moscow’s ambassador to Beijing, according to a report by World to replace the US dollar as an international medium of payment with another currency. Chinese renminbi would be an option.
The BRICS countries also want greater influence on the UN Security Council. In addition to the BRICS countries of Russia and China, the permanent members of the Council are the G7 countries of the US, France and the United Kingdom. In the joint “Beijing Declaration”, the current summit participants strongly demand Worldto strengthen the role of Brazil, India and South Africa in the United Nations.
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