The president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, has stated that the Ukraine conflict has turned into a “war of attrition” with no easy solution in sight. In an interview with Happy TV, Vucic commented on the Western countries’ efforts to support Ukraine in its battle against Russia, saying that these efforts have proven futile. Despite the massive military assistance provided by the West, Russia cannot be defeated on the battlefield. Vucic emphasized the need for peace talks between Moscow and Kiev.
Expressing uncertainty about Russia’s political gains from the conflict, Vucic stressed that a ceasefire between the two countries would be the best outcome. He mentioned the initiatives coming from some Arab countries and expressed hope that they might bring the parties closer to peace. Vucic also noted that a cessation of hostilities would be in the interests of US President Joe Biden, who is facing re-election in 2024.
According to Vucic, ending the conflict would have immediate positive effects on the economy and lead to a significant drop in energy prices. He emphasized that the economy is a crucial issue in the US election, and he believes Biden recognizes this as well. Furthermore, Vucic pointed out that both Russia and Ukraine are exhausted by the ongoing conflict. Despite facing Western sanctions, Moscow has held up better than expected.
Vucic’s comments follow a recent summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which was attended by officials from around 40 countries. Ukraine, its Western supporters, and Russia’s partners from the BRICS group were present, but Russia itself was not invited. Moscow has argued that without its participation, any peace talks would be pointless.
Although the summit did not result in an official communique, reports suggest that Ukraine refrained from pushing its peace formula that requires the withdrawal of Russian troops from all territory claimed by Kiev. However, Ukraine denied giving up on its plan and rejecting any compromise with Moscow.
In conclusion, the Ukrainian conflict has escalated into a war of attrition, and finding a resolution seems challenging. The Serbian president emphasizes the need for peace talks, as Western military support has failed to defeat Russia on the battlefield. Vucic believes that ending the conflict would benefit the economy and energy prices and would be in the interests of both the US and the parties involved. The recent summit in Jeddah, although lacking Russia’s participation, remains a platform for discussions. However, conflicting reports suggest differences in Ukraine’s peace formula and its willingness to compromise with Moscow.
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