Vladimir Putin has called a meeting of the Russian Security Council. The main thing

On January 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with permanent members of the Russian Security Council. The topics of discussion included the proposal for Russia's accession to the Peace Council, the issue of Greenland's ownership, and the upcoming talks between the Russian president and Palestinian President and U.S. representatives Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner on January 22. Vladimir Putin's main statements are in the Izvestia article.

About the Peace Council

Vladimir Putin, during a meeting with members of the Russian Security Council, confirmed that the United States had sent an invitation to Russia to join the new international structure, the Peace Council, which was being created at the initiative of the American leader.

"In this regard, I would like first of all to thank the President of the United States for this proposal. We have always supported and support any efforts aimed at strengthening international stability," Vladimir Putin said.

He also noted the contribution of the US administration to the search for solutions to resolve the Ukrainian crisis.

Vladimir Putin added that the Russian Foreign Ministry had been instructed to study the received documents on the Peace Council, as well as consult with Russia's strategic partners on this issue. Only then will it be possible to respond to the invitation, the Russian leader pointed out.

On the Palestinian-Israeli conflict

"The proposal made to us primarily concerns a settlement in the Middle East and the search for possible ways to solve the pressing problems of the Palestinian people and resolve the acute humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip," Putin said.

He pointed out that the main thing in this matter is for the process to have a positive impact on a long-term settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on relevant UN decisions. It is also necessary that the inalienable needs and wishes of the Palestinians be taken into account, Vladimir Putin added.

"This concerns the recommendations for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and its basic social infrastructure, health care systems, water supply, and uninterrupted food supply," the Russian president noted.

He clarified that Russia, given Russia's special relations with the Palestinian people, could send $1 billion from Russian assets frozen under the former US administration to the organization.

"The remaining funds from our assets frozen in the United States could be used to restore the territories affected by the fighting after the conclusion of a peace treaty between Russia and Ukraine, and we are also discussing this possibility with representatives of the US administration," Putin said.

About the negotiations on January 22

Vladimir Putin noted that on Thursday he plans to discuss the use of frozen Russian assets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The Russian leader also confirmed that on Thursday he is scheduled to hold talks with Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are coming to Moscow to continue the dialogue on the Ukrainian settlement.

About Greenland

Vladimir Putin separately mentioned the Greenland issue, noting that this problem does not concern Russia. However, the president pointed out that the Russian Federation has experience in resolving similar issues with the United States — the sale of Alaska by the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Vladimir Putin also suggested that the price for Greenland could be $200-$250 million.

"By the way, Denmark has always treated Greenland as a colony," Putin said.

Context

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has arrived in Moscow for a two-day visit. This was announced on January 21 by the WAFA agency.

"President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in the Russian capital Moscow on Wednesday evening on an official visit that will last two days," the publication says.

According to the newspaper, Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet with the Palestinian leader on January 22. It is specified that issues related to the Middle East will be discussed during the visit, in particular, preventing the displacement of Palestinians and stopping the expansion of Israeli settlements. In addition, the leaders of the two countries will also consider further developing relations and strengthening friendly ties.

US President's Special Envoy Stephen Witkoff said on January 21 that significant progress had been made in resolving the conflict in Ukraine over the past two weeks.

"Ukrainians note that we are making more progress in negotiations than in the last few years. This progress began with the Geneva meeting. Over the past six weeks, we have really achieved significant results," Witkoff told TASS.

The politician added that the efforts of the international community inspire hope for an early resolution of the conflict.

The meeting of the special envoy of the President of the United States, Steve Witkoff, with the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, can clarify a lot. Grigory Karasin, chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, told Izvestia about this earlier.

"I personally hope that Witkoff will explain the development of the situation. There seems to be some kind of evolution in their (U.S. — Ed.) approaches," he said.

According to him, now at the World Economic Forum in Davos there is a "duel of absolutely different points of view on the future of international law."

"This makes the visit of the American representative and his upcoming meeting with our leader useful. I am convinced that it will clarify a lot," he said.

Currently, the Russian Federation and the United States are still working in the "Anchorage atmosphere," because it was there that the fundamental agreements were reached, Karasin noted.

"As far as I understand, we are now proceeding precisely from them — their spirit and letter. Therefore, we will see how the American side implements all this," Grigory Karasin explained.