Russian President Vladimir Putin recently expressed his openness to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but specified that such a meeting would only take place during the “final phase” of negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing three-year conflict.
- Advertisement -
Putin went on to assert that Zelensky lacks the authority to sign a peace agreement, citing the expiration of his five-year mandate under martial law. Ukraine has swiftly repudiated this claim, labeling it as groundless propaganda.
“We need to find a solution that would not only end the current conflict but also lay the groundwork to prevent similar situations from arising in the future,” Putin told reporters, including AFP, in Saint Petersburg.
He also stated, “I am ready to meet with everyone, including Zelensky. However, if the Ukrainian state entrusts someone else with the negotiations, that is entirely up to them.”
Meanwhile, a rescue operation continues in Kyiv, where an excavator is clearing debris after devastating missile strikes.
Putin emphasized that any meeting should occur at the “final phase” of negotiations, to avoid prolonged discussions that fail to yield results. “We want to put an end to this conflict, not to endlessly debate the division of outcomes,” he added.
Recent weeks have seen stalled talks regarding the conflict, with Putin making stubborn demands to conclude the offensive while avoiding personal engagement with Zelensky.
Ukraine has accused Russia of intentionally undermining peace initiatives as a tactic to extend the war.
In a broader context, Putin asserted that NATO’s intensified defense spending does not pose a “threat” to Russia. His comments come just as the alliance gears up for a pivotal summit in The Hague to discuss a proposal to increase defense budgets to five percent of GDP under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.
“We do not view any rearmament by NATO as a threat to the Russian Federation, because we are self-sufficient in ensuring our own security,” he stated. He further remarked, “Russia is constantly modernizing our armed forces and defensive capabilities,” adding that it is “illogical” for NATO to increase military expenditure.
Though acknowledging that elevated NATO spending may introduce certain “specific” challenges for Russia, he downplayed their significance. “We will counter all threats that arise. There is no doubt about that,” Putin affirmed.
As the conflict persists, Ukraine is actively seeking security guarantees from NATO as part of any potential deal to cease hostilities, more than three years after the onset of Russia’s full-scale military offensive.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
