Russian President, Vladimir Putin has expressed readiness to resume peace talks with Ukraine, emphasizing that any negotiations should be based on the agreements reached in Istanbul in 2022.
Speaking at a forum in Vladivostok, Putin reiterated that Moscow has not refused negotiations but insisted on specific terms.
He highlighted that the earlier Istanbul agreement, initially accepted by Kyiv, could serve as the foundation for renewed discussions.
Putin said at a forum in Vladivostok, “Are we ready to negotiate with them? We have never refused to do so, but not on the basis of some ephemeral demands, but on the basis of those documents that were agreed and actually initialled in Istanbul.”
Putin’s stance comes amidst ongoing conflict and political strain between Russia and Ukraine, with several conditions set for future peace talks.
These include Ukraine abandoning its intentions to join NATO, recognizing Russia’s sovereignty over the annexed territories in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, and agreeing to certain military limitations.
The Russian leader also accused Ukraine of being influenced by Western powers, specifically pointing to instructions from London and Washington as reasons for Ukraine’s reluctance to engage in peace negotiations.
Despite this, Putin expressed a willingness to sit down for talks, stressing that the situation on the battlefield could change, which might impact the conditions for negotiations.
The meeting between the two leaders, should it occur, could mark a significant moment in efforts to bring an end to the prolonged conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
However, many hurdles remain, particularly surrounding Ukraine’s territorial integrity and geopolitical alliances.
