MOSCOW, February 2. /TASS/. The Lugansk People’s Republic’s former Ambassador to Moscow Rodion Miroshnik sees little chance that any potential "Brazilian format" talks could resolve the situation in Ukraine, since he is skeptical that the Kiev regime and President Vladimir Zelensky in particular could be Russia’s interlocutors in any way.
"Prospects for `Brazilian format’ talks the way Brazilian President [Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva] sees them look slim to me. The Brazilian leader can only be praised for striving to make a contribution to ending the bloodshed, but the quality of opponents in proposed talks raises questions. Zelensky ceased to be a negotiating party long ago, and holding mediated or direct talks with him is currently pointless. He is incapable of fulfilling his commitments, since he is a bankrolled puppet being controlled from abroad," Miroshnik maintained.
For him, an immediate end to the massive weapons supplies to Ukraine by the West is the only issue worth discussing now. "This could be a guaranteed way to end the bloodshed in Ukraine and prevent the world from slipping into a global conflict. And Zelensky is definitely not the one this could be discussed with," Miroshnik emphasized.
Also, the ex-LPR diplomat said that the Brazilian president was not the only leader who offered his services as a mediator recently. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he would consider mediating the Ukrainian crisis if all relevant parties ask him to.
"It is really prestigious to be a peacemaker, for the role can give you extra clout internationally, especially when there is nothing to it," Miroshnik said. "Zelensky still has only one right left and that is to sign a capitulation. All he’ll have to do is to sign it and no further commitments are needed," he added.
Earlier, the Brazilian leader criticized efforts to mediate the conflict in Ukraine and proposed establishing a new international club to help Moscow and Kiev negotiate. He also said he would be ready to mediate talks between Putin and Zelensky, if needed.