Annual press convention: Putin signifies willingness to compromise in Ukraine conflict | EUROtoday

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his willingness to barter an finish to the conflict in Ukraine. He was additionally ready to make concessions, Putin mentioned at his four-and-a-half-hour annual press convention in response to a query from the US broadcaster NBC. “Politics is the art of compromise.” He didn’t give particulars of doable compromises. At least he moved away from preconditions for talks.

At a gathering in the summertime with the diplomatic corps, the Kremlin chief made the cession of the 4 Ukrainian areas of Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhia, which had been annexed by Russia after the outbreak of conflict in 2022, one of many conditions for the beginning of talks. This time he mentioned: “We have no conditions for negotiations with Ukraine.”

Russia maintains claims to Ukrainian territory

However, this doesn’t imply giving up Russian claims. Talks must be based mostly on the truth on the bottom, i.e. the Russian conquests in Ukraine, Putin mentioned. Russia has taken management of huge territories in all 4 areas.

Putin additionally known as for the Istanbul settlement for use as a foundation for a peace treaty. In Istanbul, shortly after the beginning of the Russian invasion, each fighters negotiated circumstances for its finish. Ukraine ought to chorus from becoming a member of NATO and cut back its armed forces. But – opposite to what the Kremlin chief portrayed – it was not a completed paper and was unacceptable for Ukraine.

Putin appeared assured of victory within the query and reply session, which included residents from totally different areas of the nation, principally about social issues. The financial system is booming regardless of Western sanctions, and Russian troops are advancing alongside your entire entrance, mentioned the 72-year-old. In phrases of weapons, Russia is superior to Ukraine regardless of Western assist.

Challenge to a duel with Oreshnik

Western anti-aircraft programs are helpless towards the brand new Russian Oreshnik medium-range missile, he claimed. If the West doubts the effectiveness of the missile, it’s welcome to designate a goal in Kiev, protected by all accessible anti-aircraft weapons, that the Oreshnik ought to fireplace on.

Putin spoke of an “experiment, a high-tech duel of the 21st century.” The West may station all of the anti-aircraft weapons and missile shields it has there. Then it should turn out to be clear whether or not they can cease the medium-range missile. Russia is prepared for such an experiment.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who appeared at a press convention in Brussels shortly after Putin’s TV marathon, sharply criticized the problem to a missile duel in Kiev. “Do you think this person is still adequate? Simply a serious criminal,” he mentioned.

Putin needs to show power

For Putin, the principle factor was to show power to his personal residents, but in addition to the worldwide press. He intentionally downplayed issues: inflation was excessive, he admitted. But Russia will get them beneath management. Economic specialists see the hazard of a large droop in development if worth will increase proceed, a so-called stagflation in Russia.

When requested by a resident of the Kursk area when the individuals there would have the ability to return house, Putin, embarrassed to offer a particular reply, merely replied: “Everything will be taken care of.” For 4 months now, Russian troops – which have additionally been supported by North Korean troopers for a number of weeks – haven’t been capable of decisively push again the Ukrainian navy. He mentioned he could not give a date. But Putin assured us that the Ukrainians would undoubtedly be expelled once more.

Putin doesn’t see Assad’s fall as his personal defeat

Putin additionally didn’t need the autumn and escape of his protégé Bashar al-Assad from Syria to be seen as a defeat for Russia. “You want to present the events in Syria as a defeat for Russia. I assure you, that is not the case,” Putin informed a Western journalist.

“We went to Syria to prevent a terrorist enclave from emerging there. By and large, we achieved our goal. And the groups that were there have changed,” he mentioned.

Putin additionally mentioned that he sees Israel as the principle beneficiary of the state of affairs in Syria. At the identical time, he warned of the nation’s collapse in view of the occupation of Syrian areas. He additionally mentioned that Israel and Turkey had been presently settling safety points in their very own international locations within the civil conflict nation. Assad and his household have been granted asylum in Russia by Putin. During the query and reply session, Putin introduced a gathering with Assad.

Zelensky: Partners shouldn’t overestimate Putin

Ukrainian President Zelensky has known as on his Western companions to not overestimate Russia and Kremlin chief Putin. “We see his weaknesses,” mentioned Zelensky. “He’s only strong because he talks about nuclear weapons, because he shoots a lot of missiles.”

At the identical time, Putin has all of his combat-ready troops in Ukraine, the place he’s making sluggish progress. Disclosing this was one motive for the Ukrainian summer season offensive within the Kursk area of Russia, mentioned Zelensky. “We wanted to show that his entire army is on our territory, and that whatever is left is not strong.”

Zelenskyj has additionally not too long ago expressed his willingness to barter. But Ukraine should be put able of power in an effort to obtain a good end result, he demanded of its Western companions.