Putin points to a chance of ending the war in Ukraine and denies targeting Zelensky
Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said a chance remained of ending the war in Ukraine, that Moscow and Kyiv must settle it between themselves, and that the United States and China were ready to back a deal. He denied Russia was striking Ukraine's political leadership, saying only officials willing to negotiate could resolve the war peacefully. Ukraine's foreign minister said he expected a new diplomatic dynamic.
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A chance of a deal, Putin says
Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said there was a chance of an agreement to end the war, that Moscow and Kyiv had to settle it between themselves first, and that the United States and China were ready to back a settlement. He also described Ukrainian attacks on merchant ships as acts of state terrorism, an accusation Kyiv has not accepted. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, appearing beside Ukraine's foreign minister in Kyiv, offered India's help as a mediator.[1]
Putin denies targeting Ukraine's leadership
Asked a day after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other senior officials had immunity from Russian attacks, Putin said Russia was not carrying out such strikes because Moscow needed officials with whom it could negotiate. He said the war could only end through Ukrainian officials willing to resolve it peacefully rather than seek to destroy Russia's economy or force a strategic defeat on the country.[2]
Ukraine sees a new dynamic
Putin said there were chances of an agreement, adding that Russia and Ukraine had to reach it with each other while other countries could only help and support the process. In Kyiv, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said he expected a new dynamic in the peace efforts, with political and diplomatic contact resuming in many capitals; the last formal talks between the two sides were held in February.[1], [2]
