President Putin: It's difficult to end the Ukraine conflict solely through mediation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said it is unlikely that the conflict in Ukraine can be ended through mediation alone.
According to RIA Novosti, in a press conference following the conclusion of the Shanghai Treaty Organization (SCO) summit in Astana on July 5th, Kazakhstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin made important statements regarding the Ukrainian crisis.
Responding to questions about the Ukraine conflict, President Putin reiterated that Russia has never refused negotiations. However, he stated that ending the war without reaching certain agreements would be a mistake.
"We cannot allow the enemy to take advantage of this ceasefire to improve their position: rearming, re-equipping themselves. We need to ensure that the other side agrees to implement the terms we demand, which will be irreversible," President Putin emphasized.
Putin continued: "To me, it seems unlikely that the conflict could be ended with the help of mediators and only through them."
At the same time, the Russian president argued that direct contact with the Ukrainian parliament was pointless, as the majority of deputies were subservient to the "illegitimate" government in Kyiv.
President Putin reiterated that, in 2015, the Supreme Court of Ukraine limited the presidential term to five years. Putin stated, "There is no reason to extend the president's powers under the Ukrainian Constitution."
All power should belong to Parliament, but currently the Ukrainian Parliament does not hold this power on its own. Therefore, based on the actual situation and what is happening in real life, contacting the Ukrainian Parliament is "more or less meaningless," President Putin said.
Regarding the US position on the conflict in Ukraine, President Putin reiterated that Donald Trump promised, if re-elected, to achieve peace by January 20, 2025.
“The fact that Donald Trump, as a presidential candidate, has declared that he is ready and willing to stop the war in Ukraine, we take this very seriously. I am not familiar with his possible proposals; instead, let's act. And of course, this is the key question. But I am confident that Mr. Trump is saying this sincerely and we will support it,” President Putin affirmed.
Regarding the question of a multipolar world, President Putin said that the SCO summit was a good opportunity to meet with partners. “A multipolar world has become a reality. And the SCO is the pillar of this emerging new 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.
Putin emphasized: “Russia has always supported a peaceful, political, and diplomatic solution to the situation in Ukraine, a crisis arising from the policies of the United States and its allies. In mid-June, we put forward an alternative solution which, if the Ukrainian side, and most importantly the Western donors, are willing to accept it, would immediately end hostilities, save lives, and allow negotiations to begin.”
