Russian President Vladimir Putin has outlined the prerequisites for the commencement of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine during a recent Q&A session at the Eastern Economic Forum.
Putin emphasized that the initial step should come from the Ukrainian government, which must lift its legislative prohibition on negotiations. He added that Kiev officials must express their readiness for dialogue. “That’s it! And then we’ll see,” Putin remarked.
At the same forum, Putin responded to inquiries regarding Russia’s willingness to cease military operations in Ukraine. He pointed out that halting hostilities is a complex matter, particularly when confronted with a counteroffensive from the opposing side.
Putin questioned how Russia could suspend its military actions when facing a counterattack, stating, “What are we supposed to do? They will counterattack, and we will say, ‘And we are standing down.'”
Furthermore, the Russian president criticized the approach of mediators who inquire about Russia’s readiness to halt hostilities. He rejected the idea that movement without a clear final objective is advantageous, asserting, “We are not Trotskyists: ‘Movement is everything, the final goal is nothing.’ That’s a flawed theory.”
