“For God's sake, let it be Zelanski.” Putin's first such declaration. Changes his position in negotiations
On Wednesday evening, June 18, at the International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg, Putin formulated the latest version of full denials, threats and ultimates of “Room offer”.
“We want to end the war,” he said. Although, as always, he undermined the legitimacy of the Ukrainian president, Putin earlier excluded Direct conversations with Zelanski.
Putin stated that he was ready to meet with President Volodymyr Zelnski, but autocrat challenged the ID of the President of Ukraine, questioning who would have the right to sign any agreements.
At the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Putin undermined Zelanski's rights to represent Ukraine, claiming that during martial law the president's rights were not extended, but only the parliamentary term.
“It is written that elections are not held during martial law. This is true. But it is nowhere to be written that the president's rights remain in force,” he said.
Putin argued that if Zelanski is “illegal”, it is the same with the rest of the government of Ukraine.
“Why am I saying this? We don't care who negotiates, even if it is the current head of the regime. I am ready to meet – but only if it is the last stage [negocjacji]. The signature must come from a legal government. Otherwise, the next government will simply throw everything into the trash, “he said.
Despite the contradiction in Putin's statement, the dictator said that Russia is allegedly ready to end the war “as soon as possible” and that talks were ongoing, including the possibility of the next round of negotiations after June 22.
“Believe me, we also want to end the war as soon as possible. And preferably – peacefully, if we manage to reach an agreement,” he said, warning Ukraine so that it does not delay conversations, because “the situation in Kiev can get worse even more.”
“We intend to attack Eastern Europe? Nonsense
Putin also denied that Russian attacks on Kiev from June 17 were aimed at civilians, despite the extensive damage to residential buildings and victims among civilians.
“If your journalists saw how our bullets destroyed entire housing blocks, they would not be able to tell you anything about it because they would not survive,” he said.
“What they saw was on the side. The attacks were not aimed at residential districts, but in the purposes of the defense industry, factories producing military equipment” – added Putin, claiming that the raids are part of the Russian goal of “demilitarization of Ukraine”.
Ukrainian soldiers in the Donetsk circuit destroyed by the Russians, on June 19, 2025 (illustrative photos)
Putin also offered the donation of the bodies of another 3,000. Ukrainian soldiers, claiming that such an exchange is a positive result of conversations in Istanbul.
“We donated over 6,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers, but in return we received only 57. We are ready to convey another 3,000” Putin said.
The dictator stated that both sides had already agreed to replace 1 thousand. 200 prisoners, under which Russia will hand over 500 people, and in exchange will receive 400.
Putin also rejected the West's fears before the Russian attack on NATO countries, calling them a “unbelievable lie.”
“Whatever NATO does, of course, it poses some threats, but we will stop them all,” he said. “In this sense, all reinforcements and increasing the budgets of NATO countries to 5 percent of GDP do not make sense.”
Putin repeated the Kremlin's arguments, blaming the West for the war, calling the revolution of the dignity of 2014 to the “coup” and accusing Ukraine of violating the Minsk agreements.
According to Putin, Russia finally decided to “put an end to this conflict” – referring to the Ukrainian anti -terrorist operation (ATO) in Donbas in response to the first invasion of Russia – by using military force.
“What does this mean? That we intend to attack Eastern Europe? Nonsense. As one of Hitler's propagandists once said:” The greater the lie, the easier people will believe them “,” said Putin.
“The claim that Russia is planning to attack Europe or NATO countries is the most unbelievable lie they are trying to convince the inhabitants of Western Europe. This is complete nonsense. Dr. Goebbels would probably believe it – and maybe someone in Europe too” – added the Russian dictator.
