Russia Calls for Renewed Peace Negotiations with Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated the call for peace negotiations with Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of common sense over ultimatums. At a recent press conference following discussions with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin stated that Russia must be assured of negotiating with legitimate authorities before signing any legally binding documents.
Putin questioned the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, whose term of office expired in May. This questioning of Zelensky's legitimacy comes amidst ongoing debates within Ukraine and the broader international community. He pointed out that Western sponsors and the Swiss peace conference aim to confirm or refute the legitimacy of the current Kyiv regime.
Progress and Setbacks on the Ground
Putin highlighted ongoing military advances in Donbas and Kharkiv by Russian forces, stressing that the negotiation basis should reflect the current realities on the ground. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov reinforced this stance, rejecting any ceasefire agreement that does not recognize the four annexed Ukrainian regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—as part of Russian territory.
The Russian President also referenced the aborted negotiation process from March 2022 in Istanbul, blaming Western influence, particularly from former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, for Ukraine's withdrawal from preliminary agreements. He stressed that Russia is willing to resume talks provided the agreements accommodate the evolving situation on the battlefield.
Simultaneously, Lukashenko supported Putin's claims regarding Zelensky’s lack of “legal purity,” alluding to the greater control wielded by Western powers over Ukraine's decisions. He emphasized that critical state decisions are being made overseas, not in Kyiv.
- Putin expressed frustration at the West's imposition of ultimatums and blamed Kyiv for the discontinuation of the earlier negotiation efforts. According to him, the restarting of peace talks should focus on achieving fundamental agreements that reflect the current situation.
- Lukashenko’s remarks underscore the deeper geopolitical struggle and the perception that Ukraine’s sovereignty is undermined by its Western allies. This dynamic adds another layer of complexity to the potential resumption of peace talks.
