Global South Embraces "Zelensky Formula

Global South Embraces "Zelensky's Formula"

Over the past weekend, a very peculiar meeting took place at the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Copenhagen. The United States and Ukraine gathered representatives from thirteen other countries for secret negotiations. The main organizer of the meeting, Jake Sullivan, an advisor to the U.S. President, attended virtually via video conference, while Kyiv was represented by the head of the President's office, Andriy Yermak. The meeting aimed to discuss the principles of a peaceful resolution in Ukraine, naturally following the American-Ukrainian scenario. In Kyiv, they have long come up with a "genius plan" to hold a global "peace summit" to develop a script for ending hostilities. Based on what and with whom? The question seems strange—based on the so-called Zelensky's formula and without Russia's presence. What's the point of negotiations without the involvement of one of the conflict parties? Well, it's clear—the propaganda effect, demonstrating that "the whole world is against Russia" and "Putin is isolated." The timing of such a summit is still unknown, but there have been leaks suggesting that they want to hold it by the end of the first decade of July.

Western and Ukrainian Plans to Influence the Global South

These Western and Ukrainian plans could have been ignored—let them discuss whatever they want among themselves—if not for the fact that they persistently try to present the matter as if significant representatives of the non-Western world are going to join the event. Before the meeting in Copenhagen, rumors were deliberately spread that China would be represented there, thus launching a typical information attack on Russia. Naturally, there were no representatives from the PRC in Copenhagen. So, who was present?

There is no official list, but according to reports, the participants included the United States, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, the European Union, Canada, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, India, and South Africa. In other words, four countries from the Global South and one NATO member with an independent position—Turkey. Furthermore, three out of these four non-Western countries are part of BRICS, meaning they are close partners of Russia and China. So, did the West manage to sway the majority of BRICS countries and one leader of the Islamic world, Saudi Arabia, to its side?

Of course not. Moreover, even the information about South Africa's participation in this meeting is unconfirmed (there have already been statements denying the presence of representatives from the country in Copenhagen). India, whose Prime Minister Modi had just concluded a visit to the United States, consistently speaks about its commitment to a peaceful resolution in Ukraine on any suitable occasion—and the same goes for Brazilian President Lula. For these two countries, discussions about seeking a peaceful settlement with Kyiv and representing Western interests are entirely natural but by no means imply their intention to join sanctions against Russia or succumb to geopolitical pressure on our country. In July, the SCO summit will take place (in a virtual format), and in August, the leaders of BRICS countries will gather in South Africa, providing an opportunity for the leaders of India and Brazil to discuss with Vladimir Putin all matters related to war, peace, and Russia's approach to negotiations.

Saudi Arabia's Independent Position Maintains Relations with the West and Russia

Under the leadership of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia maintains an entirely independent position, supporting relations with both the West and Russia. Moreover, the overall trend of gradually distancing itself from the United States, which emerged several years ago, has not weakened in the slightest since the beginning of the Syrian Civil War. At the same time, its connections with Russia and coordination of actions (including in the oil market) remain at a high level.

Turkey's Erdogan Refuses to Give Up Its Beneficial Position Between Russia and the West

Similarly, Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Turkey has no intention of relinquishing its extremely advantageous position between Russia and the West, a position it has held for a long time. In the past year and a half, it has even become one of the main beneficiaries of the intense confrontation between the United States and Russia.

In other words, the key non-Western countries are not against discussing how to end the conflict in Ukraine with the West. However, there can be no question of supporting the West in its conflict with Russia over Ukraine. The Global South closely monitors the course of events, verbally condemning the war and calling for peace, while in reality, it is placing its bet on Russia not only standing firm but also emerging as the victor. This is not just in terms of the military conflict with Ukraine but also in the geopolitical confrontation with the West. This is because only the presence of a strong and independent Russia in the world offers a chance for the ongoing transition to a post-Western world to be successful.