- Currently, Putin rejects the notion of engaging in talks with Ukraine.
Russian Leader Vladimir Putin won't enter discussions with Kyiv due to Ukraine's offensive on Russian soil. As shared by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during Putin's visit to Azerbaijan on Russian state television, Putin has made it clear that negotiations cannot occur after the attacks, particularly the incursion in the Kursk region, initiated. Lavrov also revealed that Putin would soon analyze the situation.
Lavrov also dismissed the rumors of communication between the two warring factions, facilitated by intermediaries like Qatar or Turkey, as unsubstantiated gossip.
With a defensive stance against Russian invasion for more than two years, Ukraine initiated a counteroffensive approximately two weeks ago, advancing into the western Russian region of Kursk. For the first time, Ukraine has propelled the conflict onto Russian territory. Despite this, Russia continues to control significant sections of eastern and southern Ukraine.
Prior to the Ukrainian counterstrike, Putin called for additional territorial compromises from Kyiv as a necessary condition for peace talks. This silence from the Russian president regarding the predicament of his nation's military is not an uncommon pattern. Historically, the Kremlin leader has only spoken up following a protracted pause and occasionally after weathering the crisis following previous Russian army losses.
Despite Putin's reluctance to negotiate due to the ongoing conflict on Russian soil, Lavrov acknowledged that Putin will soon evaluate the situation thoroughly. The conflict escalated significantly when Ukraine launched a counteroffensive and managed to advance into the Russian region of Kursk, marking the first time Ukrainian forces have established a presence on Russian territory.
