Putin’s negotiation plea: Ukraine demands troop withdrawal

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"Russia is not only ready for negotiations, but at a certain stage—at the very beginning of this conflict—it held these talks," Putin stated, noting that in March 2022 in Turkey, a "mutually acceptable document, initialed by the Ukrainian side," was developed. However, Kyiv ultimately rejected it "due to external recommendations."

The Kremlin leader noted the presence of representatives from Japan, Canada, Malta, Albania, New Zealand, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Finland at the ceremony.

He emphasized that because of the war in Ukraine, Moscow's contacts with these countries have been "reduced to a minimum." He described the "hostile course of escalation and prolonging the conflict in Ukraine," adopted by some Western countries, as "deeply flawed" and aimed at a "strategic weakening of Russia."

Putin added that he "does not seek confrontation" and expressed hope that the diplomats will contribute to forming an "objective image" of Russia and its policies, and that their countries will return to the "logic of mutually beneficial cooperation."

This is Putin's fourth statement in two weeks declaring readiness for negotiations with Ukraine. On October 18, during a meeting with representatives of BRICS countries' media, he stated that Russia is prepared to hold talks to end the war, but only based on the agreements developed in spring 2022.

"In Turkey, in Istanbul, we conducted negotiations for a long time, resulting in a document initialed by the head of the Ukrainian delegation. On this basis, we are ready to continue working," Putin emphasized at that time.

The dictator revisited this topic on October 24 at a press conference following the BRICS summit in Kazan. He noted that Ukraine, facing losses on the battlefield, should return to dialogue on resolving the conflict with Russia.

"It would be best, of course, based on the realities and what is happening on the ground, to sit down at the negotiation table," Putin said.

The following day, October 25, he declared his readiness for "reasonable compromises" with Ukraine, but stated that the war's outcome "should be beneficial for Russia" and take into account "the real circumstances created on the battlefield."

"Without any doubts, we do not intend to make concessions or any exchanges here," Putin emphasized in an interview for the program "60 Minutes."

In response, Kyiv declared that the war must end with the "complete and unconditional" withdrawal of Russian troops from the entire territory of Ukraine.

"These are not only Ukraine's demands. These are requirements of international law," emphasized the head of the Ukrainian president's office, Andriy Yermak. He added that Kyiv is "ready to consider" the opinions of other parties interested in resolving the conflict, but "any changes must be based on international law and justice, territorial integrity, and inviolability of Ukraine's borders," as well as its "full sovereign status."

Yermak also ruled out any "proposals that threaten the existence" of the country and its right to self-determination.

One of the conditions for starting peace negotiations, presented by Putin in the summer, was the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions and recognizing these regions as part of Russia. Additionally, he demanded that Kyiv agree to a neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear status. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky considered these terms an ultimatum.