Russian President Vladimir Putin has outlined three critical issues he believes must be addressed for the war in Ukraine to cease, expressing readiness to engage in peace discussions upon their resolution.
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has persisted for over two years, yielding minimal gains for Russia as Ukraine continues its steadfast resistance.
Amid preparations for a peace conference in Switzerland that excludes Russia, Putin conveyed his frustrations during talks with Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko in Moscow this week.
The three key issues highlighted by Putin include his exclusion from peace talks, concerns over border security, and alleged attacks on energy infrastructure.
Putin criticized the global community’s handling of the conflict and discussed prospects for peace with Lukashenko, emphasizing the importance of resolving these issues.
In a Kremlin-provided transcript, Putin expressed dissatisfaction with the planned conference in Switzerland, noting Russia’s absence and the contradictory claims that negotiations are impossible without its participation.
He stressed Russia’s willingness to engage in talks but rejected formats that he deemed detached from reality.
Despite international allegations, Putin denied Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. He reiterated Russia’s readiness for negotiations if the outlined issues are effectively addressed, particularly emphasizing the goal of demilitarization to impact Ukraine’s military-industrial complex.
