Russia once again sets conditions for peace talks in Ukraine

In his latest statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow is ready to resume peace negotiations with Ukraine, but must take into account previously reached agreements.

Russian military forces are still taking the initiative on the battlefield while the Ukrainian Armed Forces are increasingly weakened due to lack of troops and military equipment aided from abroad. Photo: Getty

“Let them return, but let them return not based on what they want, but on the fundamental agreements reached during difficult negotiations in Belarus and Turkey,” Vladimir Putin said.

The Russian leader added that it is necessary to take into account the situation developing “on the ground” due to hostilities and stressed that Moscow has always supported negotiations with Kiev and does not prohibit anyone from conducting them.

“We are negotiating. Then, once again at the instigation and subjugation of Western sponsors, Ukraine was given the goal of defeating Russia strategically and aiming at winning against Russia on the battlefield,” the Russian President stressed.

Vladimir Putin noted that the agreements reached in Istanbul suited both the Russian and Ukrainian sides, but it was Kiev that decided to withdraw from the process of resolving the conflict through peaceful negotiations.

Previously, British news agency Reuters cited sources in Russia and reported that President Vladimir Putin was ready to negotiate peace on Ukraine if the result was a ceasefire based on the current front line.

According to Reuters, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia is ready for peace dialogue with Ukraine, but excludes the return of annexed regions to Russia in 2022. If these preconditions are not met, there will be no peace talks to resolve the conflict.

At the same time, the Russian leader stressed that when resuming negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, it is necessary to understand the legitimacy of the Kiev government and who can sign documents. Mr. Vladimir Putin stressed that Moscow must have full confidence that they are reaching an agreement with the legitimate leadership of Ukraine.

“This question must be answered in Ukraine itself. First of all, I think that the legitimacy of the current Ukrainian government must be confirmed by the parliament , the constitutional court or some other government body,” said Vladimir Putin.

The Russian president said that Moscow never refuses to negotiate and has repeatedly expressed this opinion. However, the negotiation process must be based on the goals of the ongoing special military operation.

The legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky is being questioned by Russia as his term ended on May 20. Photo: Reuters

The Russian leader said that the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky has been lost. According to him, the Kremlin knows that Mr. Zelensky's presidency has ended.

“I think that one of the goals of the conference announced in Switzerland is for the Western community, the current sponsors of Kiev, to confirm the legitimacy of the current head of state,” the Russian president said.

Earlier, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov commented on the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and stressed that the role of this leader should be decided by Ukrainians. Legally, the extension of the powers of the President of Ukraine, which expires on May 20, can be formalized by the Constitutional Court of Ukraine.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said at a press conference after a meeting with the Russian President that “there is no and cannot be” legal clarity in the matter of the legitimacy of current President Volodymir Zelensky due to the state of the judicial system in Ukraine.

“This is democracy: Neither the Constitutional Court nor other courts can make any constitutional judgment,” the Belarusian leader explained.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/chien-su-nga-ukraine-hom-nay-ngay-2652024-nga-mot-lan-nua-neu-dieu-kien-dam-phan-hoa-binh-tai-ukraine-322416.html