Russian President Vladimir Putin today reaffirmed his conditions for peace in Ukraine, insisting Kyiv must recognize Crimea and four partially occupied regions as Russian territory and abandon NATO aspirations. The demands, unchanged from a year ago, were reported by TASS.
Putin cited “positive dynamics at the front” for Russian forces, claiming they are advancing across Ukraine. He accused Kyiv authorities of being poorly informed about combat realities, specifically their denial of Moscow’s capture of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk, according to TASS.
Responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for Western allies to push for a “regime change” in Moscow, Putin asserted Russia’s government was formed “in strict observance of the Constitution, which cannot be said about Ukraine.” He claimed, via TASS, that the current Ukrainian government violates its constitution, referencing Zelensky remaining in office beyond his May 2024 mandate expiry due to martial law preventing elections.
Putin, quoted by Interfax, stated that a “lasting peace guaranteeing security for both countries” is needed between Russia and Ukraine. He added that Ukrainian negotiators had suggested finding this solution within a framework of “overall European security,” an approach he described as “correct.”
Separately, Zelensky stated on X that Ukraine remains ready for leader-level talks “at any time” if Russia signals a “genuine willingness to end the war with dignity and establish truly lasting peace, not just stall for time.” He urged moving beyond technical talks to direct leadership negotiations, noting: “We understand who makes decisions in Russia and who must end this war. America proposed this. Ukraine supports it. Russia’s willingness is needed.”
© Copyright ANSA. All rights reserved.