Putin denies plans to freeze war, insists on specific negotiation goals

Reuters reported that four Russian sources claim Vladimir Putin is ready to freeze the war in Ukraine. The informants emphasized that the dictator could negotiate a ceasefire with the recognition of the current front line. Officially, this means the Russians would not withdraw from the territories they occupied after the brutal invasion began in 2022.

However, Kyiv has previously stated that negotiations will begin when Moscow agrees to return to the status quo before the outbreak of the war.

Three Russian sources contacted by Reuters noted that Putin "expressed frustration" during discussions with his advisers over the "West's support for attempts to hinder negotiations." The dictator also pointed out Volodymyr Zelensky's statement, in which he said he would not hold peace talks with Moscow as long as Putin is in power.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov commented that's not true. According to him, President Putin is ready for negotiation. Yet, as he said, the goals of the negotiations are clear and concern the currently pursued military operations.

Peskov reminded that the Russian Federation's Constitution "determines" its composition, including four new territories.

The Russian leader's press secretary recalled that Putin pointed to "previous very complex documents," which could, according to him, serve as a basis only for the starting talks. The President of the Russian Federation had previously noted that the basis for an agreement in Ukraine could be the agreements from March 2022 in Istanbul, which Kyiv rejected in favor of the West.

Earlier, Peskov, in response to a request for comment on the agency's findings, stressed that the Russian leader had previously repeatedly declared that his country is "open to dialogue." He stated that the Kremlin does not intend to conduct an "eternal war."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defense of Ukraine did not comment on the matter.