In a recent interview, representatives from various countries shared their perspectives on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, highlighting a growing consensus against escalation. As the Brics summit hosted by Russia unfolded, the foreign ministry in Kyiv announced that Moscow had not secured the expected support for its invasion. “The summit, which Russia aimed to use to sow division, has once again shown that the majority of the world stands with Ukraine in its pursuit of a comprehensive, just, and sustainable peace,” a spokesperson stated.
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for restraint, advocating that there should be “no escalation of fighting” in Ukraine. He articulated three fundamental principles: “no spillover from the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no adding oil to the fire by relevant parties,” underscoring the urgency for a resolution to the conflict.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva echoed these sentiments, urging for the avoidance of escalation and the initiation of peace negotiations. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi added his voice to the chorus, advocating for dialogue and diplomacy rather than conflict.
In a surprising twist, Vladimir Putin, during private discussions at the summit, welcomed mediation offers from several Brics leaders, despite claiming that Russian forces were pushing forward on the ground, as reported by his spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Meanwhile, White House spokesperson John Kirby addressed concerns regarding North Korean troops, declaring them legitimate military targets if they engage in combat in Ukraine. This marked the first instance of the U.S. acknowledging evidence of North Korean soldiers in Russia, with South Korean lawmakers indicating that approximately 3,000 troops had been dispatched to assist the Kremlin, with plans for a total of around 10,000 by December.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko expressed skepticism about the reported deployment of North Korean troops, insisting that such a move by Putin could escalate the conflict, possibly drawing in NATO forces. “Knowing his character, Putin would never persuade another country to involve its army in this operation,” Lukashenko stated, warning that foreign troop involvement could provoke NATO’s response.
Ukrainian authorities are taking precautions in regions under threat, announcing the mandatory evacuation of children and families from Borova in Kharkiv, where Russian advances are noted. In Donetsk, it was reported that all children had been evacuated from Myrnograd, with only a few remaining in the adjacent transportation hub of Pokrovsk. Tragically, two men were confirmed dead following a drone attack in the Zaporizhzhia region.
On the support front, the Biden administration is working to provide $10 billion in military aid to Ukraine, as part of a broader $20 billion commitment within a $50 billion loan through coordination with the G7 and EU. President Joe Biden emphasized, “Make no mistake: Russia will not prevail in this conflict… tyrants will be responsible for the damages they cause.” The White House is eager to channel $10 billion by December, though additional funding requires legislative approval.
In another development, Romania’s defense ministry reported scrambling two F-16 fighter jets after detecting potential drones breaching its airspace, marking the third such event in less than a week. The ministry indicated that two drones were picked up by radar, but pilots were unable to visually confirm them before losing signal.
