Adnkronos (Adnkronos) –
"An agreement is possible." Vladimir Putin is open to an agreement to end the war in Ukraine. The Russian president hints at a negotiated solution in an interview with journalist Pavel Zarubin, one of the media representatives closest to the Kremlin. Putin uses seemingly mild tones, calling the Ukrainians "a people very close to us."
"I think we can reach an agreement. We are in agreement on this," said the Russian president, who met with Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's special envoy, in St. Petersburg on Wednesday. "Russia has informed the United States that it is ready to resume trilateral negotiations on Ukraine," Putin said.
“It is now clear to everyone that it is impossible to defeat Russia on the battlefield.
Those who throughout history have sought Russia's strategic defeat—and unfortunately, such people still exist—must realize that it is better to live in harmony with Russia: it is in the interests of their peoples. Russia desires a peaceful settlement, but if someone wishes otherwise, that is their choice. The goal of negotiations with the United States and Ukraine will be to achieve a permanent peace, not a temporary cessation of hostilities, and to ensure Russia's security.
We have supported a peaceful solution to the Ukrainian conflict from the very beginning. We remain ready to negotiate and seek a solution to the difficult situation in Ukraine,” added the Kremlin leader who, as has often happened in the past, blames Kiev for the outbreak of the conflict. “We have always supported a peaceful solution, from the very first days,” Putin said, referring to 2014. “Weapons and aircraft were used against civilians. They practically started a war.” Now “Russia does not want to fight with Ukraine. Kiev, however, does. Kiev and its Western supporters treat Ukrainian citizens as expendable.”
Alongside the openness, there are the limits the Russian president continues to set. "All objectives will be achieved," he reiterates. Russia, he explicitly states, will not give up the territories it seized from Ukraine. The Ukrainian president would be willing to cede approximately 20-25% of Ukraine. For Putin, however, this is not a concession: "The territories lost by Kiev are not 'their territory.' They are historically Russian territories," he says. "It is inappropriate for Kiev to talk about territorial losses. The inhabitants of Donbas and Novorossiya—'historical' Russia—voted for reunification," he continues.
The interview also features accusations against Europe: Russia, Putin says, has no intention of seeking conflict with NATO. "Europe's declarations about the 'threat of war' with Russia are political schizophrenia. The people of Europe don't want to fight Russia, just as Russia doesn't want to fight Europe."
international/foreign
webinfo@adnkronos.com (Web Info)