Putin says that “he does not see the purpose” of a meeting with Zelenski: “Even if there is a political will, which I doubt, there are legal and technical difficulties”
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on September 5 that he “does not see the meaning of” a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodimir Zelenski to discuss the termination of Russia's war against Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin Photo: EPA-EFE
Ukrainian and European officials have constantly demanded the complete cessation of hostilities as a prerequisite for peace negotiations between Kiev and Moscow. The Kremlin rejected these requests every time, insisting that Ukraine first make extreme concessions – such as the dissolution of its army and the refusal to accept foreign military aid, according to Kyivindependent.
“I have often said that I am prepared for these contacts (no with Zelenski),” Putin said at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, in the Far East of Russia.
“However, I do not see too much meaning in them (…) because it will be practically impossible to reach an agreement with the Ukrainian part on key issues: even if there is a political will, which I doubt, there are legal and technical difficulties,” added Putin.
Among other things, Russia has asked Ukraine to recognize the illegal annexation of its territories and withdraw from the Kiev controlled parts of these regions.
Russia occupied and annexed Crimea illegally at the beginning of its aggression against Ukraine in 2014. In 2022, Moscow also illegally declared the annexation of the partially occupied regions, Luhansk, Zapoarijia and Herson.
Putin argues that any agreement with Kiev on occupied territories must be confirmed by a referendum, according to the provisions of the Ukrainian Constitution. In order to achieve this, the martial law in force in Ukraine should be raised.
Zelenski refused to recognize the occupied territories as belonging to Jure Russia, calling this a “red line” that Kiev will not pass. The Constitution of Ukraine stipulates that “The territory of the country within its current borders is indivisible and inviolable”.
Putin also said he was ready to meet Zelenski only in Moscow.
“If they (Ukraine) want to meet us, we are ready. The best place for this is the capital of the Russian Federation, the city of Hero Moscow,” Putin said.
On September 4, after the summit of the “coalition of the willing” in Paris, Zelensko commented on Putin's recent invitation to meet in Moscow. Zelenski said that if Putin is serious about the meeting, he shouldn't invite him to the Kremlin.
“Russia has begun to discuss the meeting, which is already a good thing, but so far we do not see any desire on their part. Zelenski added.
The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, said on September 5, according to the Russian state press, that security guarantees should be granted to both Ukraine and Russia, because “No one can be believed on the word. “
“Can the security guarantees of Ukraine be provided and granted by foreign military, especially European and American contingents?Peskov told Vladivostok.
The European leaders did not suggest the sending of combat troops to Ukraine during the ongoing hostilities, but rather the conduct of international peace forces only after a possible armistice.
