Putin Expresses Readiness for Negotiations to Resolve Ukraine Crisis
Synopsis
Vladimir Putin signals willingness to resume trilateral talks on Ukraine security and European architecture, while maintaining that Russia will achieve its military objectives as President Zelenskyy cautions against lifting sanctions.
Putin Signals Willingness for Renewed Diplomatic Engagement
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said that Russia is still ready to negotiate and seek solutions to what he described was a difficult and complicated situation in Ukraine. Speaking to Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin, Putin-who recently held extensive talks with US negotiators Steve Witkoff, said that Russia and US had agreed to resume trilateral contacts.
"I think we can reach an agreement... But if someone wants it differently, fine, it will be different. But in any case, we will achieve our objectives, and all the goals of the special military operation will be achieved. Regarding our talks with the US administration representative, yes, we agreed that we are ready to resume our trilateral contacts. The goal of these talks will be to discuss ensuring the security of Ukraine and Russia after the conclusion of a final peace agreement, not as a result of a brief suspension of hostilities. We are ready to resume these contacts to achieve this goal," Putin said.
Discussion on European Security Architecture
"The US administration representative emphasized that if we are to discuss issues related to ensuring future security for both Ukraine and Russia, then, naturally, we will also need to discuss the European security architecture as a whole. And I agree with this. Well, we'll see how the situation develops in the coming days," he added.
Historical Perspectives and Conflict Origins
Putin claimed that Russia always advocated for a peaceful resolution while it was Ukraine that had unleashed a war. "We've always advocated for a peaceful resolution, from the very first days. We already talked about this in 2014: let's help you reach an agreement with the southeast of what was then Ukraine. No, they used guns and planes against civilians; they practically unleashed a war. Then came the Minsk agreements. We always wanted them to reach an agreement with that part of Ukraine that disagreed with the coup. No, they rejected that. Then, before we began our actions to protect people in Donbas, we also told them: let's avoid any excesses, let's reach an agreement—no, we'll fight. Fine," Putin said
"I want to say that we are still ready to negotiate and seek a solution to this difficult, complex situation, in the sense that these are people very close to us, you understand? The latest genetic research shows that Russians and Ukrainians are truly one people. Okay, some people want to think differently, to think differently. Fine, we agree. That's how the history of historical Russia unfolded, and that's the reality of today. But everything can be agreed upon," he added.
Zelenskyy's Stance on Sanctions and Ongoing Conflict
Putin's affirmation comes even as Ukrainian President Zelenskyy took a jibe at what appears to be a climb-down in the US stance on Russia. “My attitude to Putin is very clear. I think that if we lift sanctions, we will make him stronger. It’s not something personal between me and President Trump, and of course I’m against any lifting of sanctions,” Zelenskyy told CNN. Earlier on Thursday, Zelenskyy had alleged that Russia continued to attack Ukrainian cities with ballistic missiles and cluster warheads.