Putin tells Trump what he desires to listen to, however stays rigid | EUROtoday

Moscow considers that the seize of Pokrovsk, described by the Russian media as a “gateway to Donetsk”, would provide it a strong foundation for progress in direction of the 2 predominant cities nonetheless managed by kyiv within the area: Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. Building on the progress, even modest, of his military, Vladimir Putin is sticking to his calls for.

“Ukraine will remain firm in its positions”

Traveling Thursday to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, he as soon as once more demanded to finish the battle that kyiv withdraw its troops from all Ukrainian territories claimed by Moscow. “Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the territories they occupy, and then the fighting will stop. If they do not leave, we will do so by force of arms. That’s all,” the Russian president mentioned.

Vladimir Putin however took care to not offend Donald Trump by declaring that the plan not too long ago placed on the desk by the Americans may “serve as a basis for future agreements” and that discussions with Washington would proceed, with Steve Witkoff, the American president’s emissary, anticipated quickly in Moscow.

The Kremlin has repeatedly mentioned that the Trump plan may function a foundation for discussions in its authentic kind, very near Russian expectations, whereas deeming the counter-proposals from kyiv and its European allies counterproductive and unacceptable. Vladimir Putin welcomed Thursday that Washington had taken Russia’s place under consideration, including nevertheless that the Ukrainian authorities are “illegitimate” and that he may due to this fact not signal a peace settlement with them. It is important that any doable settlement be endorsed by the worldwide group and that the latter formally acknowledge Russia’s territorial conquests, he insisted.