“The Elders can speak freely and boldly,
working both publicly and behind
the scenes. They will support courage
where there is fear, foster agreement
where there is conflict and inspire
hope where there is despair.”
NELSON MANDELA, 2007
http://theelders.org
Six Elders were in Moscow in late April to meet President Vladimir Putin and Russian officials to hear their approach to a variety of current geopolitical crises, in particular the situation in Ukraine.
The Elders who participated in the mission to Russia from to 27-29 April 2015 were Martti Ahtisaari, Kofi Annan, Lakhdar Brahimi, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Jimmy Carter and Ernesto Zedillo.
On day two of the visit, the Elders listened to warnings from Yevgeny Primakov (left), Russia’s veteran Middle East expert and former Prime Minister, over the threat posed by Islamic State (Da’esh).
Primakov was frank in his concern for Russia’s economic situation, but insisted that the country would not be brought to its knees by sanctions.
Next day the Elders sat with Andrei Kortunov, Director-General of the leading Russian foreign policy think tank, the Russian International Affairs Council.
Kortunov informed the Elders that Moscow views on the Ukraine were divided between ‘hawks and doves’ – those who want to use military action to solve the problem and those who do not. The hawks believe that Ukraine’s statehood is doomed.
Kofi Annan told Kortunov, “All of us are looking for ways to de-escalate and reduce tensions.”
Gorbachev told the Elders he felt that the West, in particular the United States, had made a crucial mistake at the end of the Cold War in pressing for a unipolar world that did not accommodate Russia.
He expressed his shock and dismay over the war in Ukraine. For him it was unthinkable that there should once again be conflict on the European continent.
On the final day of the visit, the Elders met President Putin at his residence outside Moscow. During the two-hour meeting, they were impressed by his charisma and extensive command of international affairs.
As this was the first visit by The Elders as an organisation to Moscow, the delegation was keen to listen to their Russian interlocutors. The Elders wanted to hear how the Government views current geopolitical crises around the world, in particular the situation in Ukraine and prospects for implementation of the Minsk II agreement. The Elders emphasised the importance of the urgent implementation of the agreement.
A recurrent topic of discussion was the complex and dangerous situation in the Middle East today. The Elders agreed with their Russian hosts on the dangers posed by the rise of terrorism and extremism in Syria and Iraq, and the worrying spread of its influence to other regions.
They also spoke with their interlocutors in Moscow about the need to bring the Iranian nuclear discussions with the “P5+1” group of major states, including Russia, to a successful conclusion by the end of June, and then to make sure the agreement is fully implemented.
As an independent organisation dedicated to the pursuit of peace worldwide, The Elders are keen to encourage steps by all concerned that can help de-escalate global tensions and the risk of further conflict.
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Kofi Annan: Force sometimes justifiable, but we must not be trigger-happy – after visit to Moscow with The Elders
