Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Ukraine, against which he has launched a war, that its existence as a state will end. The Ukrainian state is threatened with an “irreparable blow” as a result of the actions of the leadership in Kiev, Putin said today at a meeting with representatives of municipalities broadcast on state television.
Putin said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's “peace formula” was nothing more than a continuation of the “ban” on negotiations with Russia. The crux of the matter is the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. Putin said no one could force Russia to give up the territories it has conquered so far. The Kremlin chief has once again described Ukraine's counter-offensive to retake territory as a failure.
Putin: “Fools” in Kiev
According to Putin's statement, the conflict could have ended a year and a half ago if Ukraine had implemented the agreements reached during negotiations in Istanbul. The Western-controlled “fools” in Kiev then decided to continue the fight.
Former Ukrainian negotiator and leader of Zelensky's party faction in parliament, David Arachamija, recently stated that Moscow insisted on the neighboring country's neutrality during the talks in order to put an end to the conflict.
Negotiations in Istanbul without security guarantees
However, Zelensky would also have needed a meeting with Putin to sign an agreement. Furthermore, Kiev hesitated because there were no security guarantees in case a peace agreement was signed, Arachamija said. For Ukraine to have a neutral status, the country's constitution would also have to be changed and NATO's course would have to be eliminated.