Putin declares willingness to negotiate peace - but on his own terms
Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a joint appearance with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, reaffirmed Russia's readiness for peace talks in the Ukraine conflict. Putin made this statement on a Friday in Moscow, adding that the conditions for such negotiations are clear. Russia, for instance, demands that Ukraine withdraws its troops from the areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson. Ukraine, on the other hand, rejects this as well as the surrender of its territories. Ukraine had also called on Russia to withdraw its troops as a prerequisite for peace talks.
Putin reiterated his previous statements that it should be clear before any truce, how the conflict between Moscow and Kiev can be permanently resolved. For Putin, a truce before negotiations means that Ukraine could use this time to reorganize, strengthen, and rearm its troops. The Kremlin chief had already emphasized the day before in Astana that he was against a truce for this reason.
Putin stated that Orban had informed him in detail about the meeting in this week in Kiev between him and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Orban, whose country currently holds the EU Council Presidency for the coming months, had advocated for a truce, which Kiev also rejected. Ukraine accuses Russia of preparing new attacks in such a case.
Putin stated that, based on Orban's reports of the meeting with Zelenskyy, it was clear to him that Ukraine had no interest in ending the fighting and instead wanted to continue fighting for a victory. Specifically, Zelenskyy accused the Kremlin chief of wanting to remain president because there would be no elections in Ukraine during the martial law.
- During the discussion, Putin expressed his belief that Orban, as the EU Council Presidency holder, should emphasize the importance of Russia's demand for Ukraine's troop withdrawal from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson as a condition for peace negotiations.
- Despite Orban's advocacy for a truce during his meeting with Zelenskyy, Putin noted that Ukraine's readiness for peace negotiations seems dubious, given its refusal to entertain discussions under the presented conditions.
- In light of the aforementioned Peace negotiations, Putin highlighted that both sides should be fully prepared, with Putin expressing Russia's readiness and Ukraine's need to strengthen its forces and troops, thus reiterating the necessity for a well-defined resolution plan, ensuring genuine peace.
