PUTIN SAYS UKRAINE MUST NEGOTIATE DIRECTLY WITH RUSSIA
Vladimir Putin has insisted that Russia and Ukraine must negotiate an end to the war themselves. He says third countries, including the United States, should only support the process from the sidelines.
Speaking after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan, Putin said prospects for an agreement still exist.
He argued that both nations must settle terms bilaterally.
The statement comes a day after he claimed Russia is deliberately refraining from targeting Ukraine’s top leadership. He said Moscow needs counterparts in Kyiv with whom it can eventually negotiate.
Russia and Ukraine must first reach an agreement with each other, Putin told reporters.
All other countries are ready to support and help, not only the United States, but also the countries represented here.
Putin said he still sees chances for peace.
NATO and the EU continue to pour weapons into Ukraine. European leaders skipped Kyiv’s Independence Day. The US is selling arms. The UK is sharing missile blueprints.
The weapons keep flowing. The bombs keep falling. The peace talks are frozen.
Putin says he wants direct talks. Zelensky says he wants his territory back. The West says it wants Russia weakened. Ordinary people just want the war to end.
If both sides want peace, why are the bombs still falling.