President Putin: Negotiations with Ukraine could begin in 1.5 months

According to RIA Novosti, in an interview with journalist Pavel Zarubin, author of the program “Moscow, Putin” of the state television channel Rossiya 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about the prospects of reaching an agreement with Ukraine. Mr. Putin noted that the conflict could end in 1.5 to 2 months, if Ukraine runs out of funding and ammunition. The Russian leader also expressed his readiness to appoint negotiators for dialogue with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

According to President Putin, the negotiations with Ukraine began with Russia offering the Ukrainian government to withdraw its troops from Lugansk and Donetsk, and then pledging not to take hostile actions.

Mr Putin added that it was incorrect to say that Ukraine imposed a ban on negotiations while Russian troops were stationed near Kiev and aimed at misleading public opinion.

“If we start negotiations now, they will be illegal. Why? Because the current head of the Ukrainian government, who signed the decree banning negotiations, is a relatively legitimate person. But now he cannot cancel it, because it is illegal. This is an ambush, a trap. If the Ukrainian government wants to cancel the decree banning negotiations with Russia, it will find a legal way, which can be done by the Speaker of the Ukrainian parliament. From the point of view of signing documents, everything must be confirmed by lawyers as to the legality of those who will be authorized by the Ukrainian state to sign these agreements,” Putin said.

Referring to the Istanbul agreement on April 15, 2022, President Putin said that some European leaders had previously told him in phone calls that Ukraine could not sign a peace treaty “with a gun to its head.” Putin then replied: “Yes, and what should be done?”

The condition for the agreement was the need to withdraw troops from Kiev. According to the Russian leader, Moscow saw clearly that deception was entirely possible. However, based on considerations of “preventing bloodshed and serious war,” Russia agreed to this condition.

Kiev then said it needed to consult with its allies and take a week off, Putin added:

“To be honest, after Ukraine decided not to sign the peace agreement, we immediately received a signal from Kiev: Now we will fight until the last Ukrainian,” President Putin said.