President Putin: It is difficult to end the Ukraine conflict through mediation alone.

According to RIA Novosti, at a press conference after the conclusion of the Shanghai Treaty Organization (SCO) summit in Astana on July 5, Kazakhstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin made important statements about the Ukraine crisis.

Responding to questions about the Ukraine conflict, President Putin reiterated that Russia has never refused to negotiate. However, he said that stopping the war without reaching certain agreements would be a mistake.

“We cannot allow the enemy to use this situation after the ceasefire to improve its position: rearm, re-equip itself. We need to ensure that the other side agrees to the terms we demand, which will be irreversible,” President Putin stressed.

“It seems to me that it is difficult to end the conflict with the help of mediators and only through them,” Mr. Putin continued.

At the same time, the Russian President said that direct contact with the Ukrainian Parliament is pointless, since the majority of deputies are submissive to the “illegal” government in Kiev.

President Putin recalled that in 2015, the Supreme Court of Ukraine limited the presidential term to five years. “There is no reason to expand the president’s powers under the Ukrainian Constitution,” Putin said.

All power should belong to the parliament, but the Ukrainian parliament does not currently hold this power itself. Therefore, based on the real situation and what is happening in real life, contacting the Ukrainian parliament is “more or less pointless,” President Putin said.

Regarding the US stance on the conflict in Ukraine, President Putin reiterated that Mr. Donald Trump promised, if re-elected, to achieve peace before January 20, 2025.

“The fact that Donald Trump, as a presidential candidate, said that he is ready and wants to stop the war in Ukraine, we take this very seriously. I am not familiar with his possible proposals, but rather to act. And of course, this is the key question. But I am sure that Mr. Trump says this sincerely and we will support it,” President Putin said.

Regarding the question of a multipolar world, President Putin said that the SCO summit is a good opportunity to meet partners. “A multipolar world has become a reality. And the SCO is the pillar of the emerging world order,” President Putin affirmed.

The Russian leader also noted the important role of the SCO in resolving the Ukrainian crisis. Moscow is ready to consider the ideas of its partners.

“Russia has always advocated a peaceful, political and diplomatic solution to the situation in Ukraine, a crisis that arose as a result of the policies of the United States and its satellites. In mid-June, we presented an alternative solution, which, if the Ukrainian side, and most importantly the Western sponsors, are ready to accept, would help immediately end hostilities, save lives and start negotiations,” Putin stressed.