Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that there are just “three things” preventing the end of the war in Ukraine, and he’s ready to discuss peace if these issues are resolved. Despite his invasion lasting over two years with no significant gains, deluded Putin remains defiant as Ukraine continues to resist relentless attacks on its people and infrastructure.
With a peace conference scheduled in Switzerland excluding Russia, the despot used a conversation with Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko in Moscow this week to express his frustrations.
He highlighted three key issues that need addressing: the exclusion of Russia from peace talks, border security, and attacks on energy infrastructure. He also discussed Lukashenko’s support for Russia and criticised the global community’s approach to the conflict, the Daily Star reports.
In a transcript provided by the Kremlin, it is reported that Putin said: “The idea of holding some kind of conference in Switzerland is being promoted. We are not invited there. Moreover, they think that we have nothing to do there, and at the same time they say that nothing can be solved without us. Since we are not going there (it has now turned into a kind of nonsense), they say that we refuse to negotiate.
“We were not invited, but they say that we refuse it would be funny if it were not so sad.”
Vladimir Putin has claimed that Russia is open to peace talks, but only if they are held on Moscow’s terms. Speaking to reporters, Putin said: “I would like to emphasise that we are in favour of talks. But not in the format of being imposed any schemes that have nothing to do with reality. Why do I say that?
“Because if the need arises, I will allow myself to turn to you, and maybe we will continue consultations with you in this area.
“He also denied that Russia was responsible for attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine, despite evidence to the contrary.
“I repeat once again, if everything gets down to solving the issues we talked about from the outset, and in the energy sector they are related, among other things, to solving one of the tasks that we set for ourselves, which is demilitarisation… above all, we proceed from the fact that in this way we directly impact the military-industrial complex of Ukraine.
“But if we do get to the point where I started, if we move on to talks about resolving all the issues in other ways, then of course, as I have already said many times, we are ready for that.”
