Putin stated that it was not Moscow that broke negotiations in 2022, but Kyiv. Despite this, Russia – as he said – proposes to resume conversations “without any previous conditions”. The last meeting of the delegation of both countries took place in Istanbul, at the end of March 2022. Shortly afterwards, the disclosure of the crime in Bucza meant that the conversations were definitively interrupted.
“A document project was developed jointly at that time, which was accepted by the Ukrainian side. Later, however, under the pressure of the West, the document went to the bin” – said the Russian leader.
“Despite this, we offer the Ukrainian side the opportunity to return to negotiations on Thursday. The decision now belongs to the Kiev authorities and their Western guardians, who – as it seems – are guided by political ambitions rather than the good of their citizens” – added Putin.
Putin's response to Europe?
His proposal was announced just a few hours after the joint visit of the leaders of Germany, France, Poland and Great Britain in Kiev. The leaders met with President Volodymyr Zelnski and jointly appealed to Moscow for immediate, unconditional, 30-day suspension of weapons. They also warned that in the absence of reaction to this appeal, the West would introduce new sanctions against Russia.
