He made this remark during a press conference in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi on June 20, following meetings with the Southeast Asian country's leaders. Among the topics he touched on was the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. According to him, Kyiv's demand for the withdrawal of Russian troops in Ukraine is merely a tactic to prolong the conflict.
"The Kyiv regime does not want to relinquish power, nor do they want to hold normal elections according to the Ukrainian constitution. They will forever drag out the ceasefire talks," Putin asserted. "Kyiv has an interest in our troops remaining there because they don't want to hold elections."
The Russian leader emphasized that any negotiations tied to the withdrawal of Russian troops, a primary demand of the Kyiv regime, would never happen. In relation to Kyiv's efforts to reclaim Kharkiv, he said Ukraine's insistence on achieving a battlefield victory "at all costs" would ultimately harm it.
According to Putin, the situation in Kharkov is a tactical operation that Ukraine is misrepresenting as strategic. "Kyiv's orders to achieve a victory on the battlefield at all costs will mean it is Ukraine that will suffer," he said.
He also commented on the West's rejection of the peace terms he put forward. Putin earlier proposed that Kyiv withdraw all its troops on territories annexed by Moscow and abandon its plans to become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
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"I expected just such a reaction," the Russian leader told the media. "What happens later, time will tell. It all depends on how the situation develops on the ground."
Russia open to negotiations, but only if it keeps annexed territories
Putin reiterated that Russia has always been open to negotiations, whereas Ukraine and its Western allies have undermined past peace efforts, such as the Minsk process and Istanbul talks. He noted that his proposed terms would not remain valid indefinitely. (Related: Putin ready to end conflict with Ukraine if Russia gets to keep territories it currently controls.)
According to Putin, Ukraine must recognize Russian sovereignty over the entire territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhzhia Regions, based on their administrative borders as of August 1991.
Kyiv must also withdraw its military from these regions and formally notify Moscow of its intention to abstain from joining NATO before any ceasefire talks can commence. "The terms I outlined will not be valid forever," he emphasized.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Putin's proposal as an "ultimatum," insisting that the conflict can only end through his "peace formula," which demands a complete Russian withdrawal. Zelensky's plan also includes the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, the withdrawal of Russian troops and reparations for war damages, among other conditions.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg criticized Putin's offer as one not "made in good faith" and warned it would cost Kyiv "significantly more land." He reiterated NATO's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz labeled it a "classic land grab" and an attempt to influence the peace conference in Switzerland. He stated: "This is a blatant attempt by Russia to solidify its illegal gains and undermine international law."
Further complicating the situation, Ukrainian forces have continued to receive military aid and training from Western allies, including the U.S. and European Union, bolstering their defense capabilities. This support has enabled Ukraine to launch counter-offensives in some regions, although the conflict remains fiercely contested.
In response to the ongoing conflict and geopolitical tensions, international bodies such as the United Nations have called for renewed diplomatic efforts and ceasefire agreements. However, the path to a sustainable peace remains fraught with challenges as both sides remain deeply entrenched in their positions.
Head over to RussiaReport.news for more similar stories.
Watch this video of Russian President Vladimir Putin explaining what needs to happen for the war in Ukraine to end.
This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.
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Zelensky no longer legitimate leader of Ukraine – Putin.
Putin ‘tried everything possible’ to make peace – Ukrainian diplomat.
Putin reportedly willing to end war with Ukraine, sit down for PEACE TALKS.
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