(Image Source: France 24)

BY TRACY PFEIFFER

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

At the G8 summit in France -- a significant diplomatic shift -- from Russia.
The country which has largely opposed NATO operations in Libya -- now calling for Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to step down.
And at the same time -- offering to negotiate talks between both sides.

DMITRY MEDVEDEV: “We haven’t broken diplomatic ties. I think it’s useful in any case because we’re trying to make closer approaches and reduce any reasons for the escalation of violence, which is still ongoing. We discussed it at the G8 and our declaration says that the Gaddafi regime has lost its legitimacy. Gaddafi must step down.” (RT)

But as France 24 reports -- Gaddafi’s regime rejected the proposal for mediation.

REPORTER: “Gaddafi says he no longer listens to calls from outside the African Union.”
LIBYAN REPRESENTATIVE: “Russia is one of the traditional friends to Libya for more than 40 years now. We don’t think that Russia will sway its position to be siding with the NATO. Anything who wants to come up with a proposal, with an initiative, or idea, it has to come through the African Union.”

And The New York Times’ Ellen Barry says -- the Russian president is quote- “taking a gamble.”

“If Colonel Qaddafi could be persuaded to leave, Russia would win international plaudits but would also bear some responsibility for guaranteeing his safety. If he cannot, Mr. Medvedev might find it more difficult to keep his distance from the military campaign, which is not popular in Russia. But all those risks may be mitigated by the prestige of being asked to defuse a violent standoff on behalf of world powers.”

Despite Tripoli’s initial refusal -- will Russia be able to negotiate peace where no one else has? A writer for TIME says -- Russia has a unique position in the grand scheme of things.

“...over the past two weeks, Russia has played host to delegations from both the pro- and anti-Gaddafi forces. Neither of those talks in Moscow made much headway, but they did allow Russia to open up a dialogue with both sides - a feat that no one in the West can claim.”

President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy also said at the summit -- they will continue the bombing campaigns until they quote- “finish the job.”