KAZAN: Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday to discuss the Ukraine conflict. This visit marks Guterres’ first trip to Russia in over two years and will occur on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, a central Russian city.

According to the Kremlin, the leaders are expected to address pressing international issues, including the West Asia and Ukraine crisis. However, the UN has not yet confirmed the planned meeting, and Ukraine has strongly criticized Guterres’ decision to meet with Putin.

When asked during a briefing in New York about Guterres’ travel plans to Kazan, Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq stated, “Announcements on his future travels will be made later on.”

Guterres has consistently condemned Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine, labelling them as setting a “dangerous precedent” for the global community. In response to the upcoming meeting, Ukraine’s foreign ministry expressed that engaging with Putin at this time “does not advance the cause of peace” and “damages the UN’s reputation.” They highlighted that Guterres had declined Ukraine’s invitation to the first Global Peace Summit in Switzerland but accepted an invitation from Putin.

During his last visit in April 2022, Guterres discussed humanitarian aid proposals and the evacuation of civilians from conflict zones with Putin, according to a UN statement. He has since advocated for a “just peace” that upholds international law and respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity.