Putin "Ready" To Negotiate End To Ukraine War, But West Wants To "Tear Apart" Russia
In a Sunday interview with Rossiya 1 state television, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country is now ready to negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine. However, he once again pointed the finger at the West for making any dialogue toward an acceptable end to the fighting all but impossible.
"We are ready to negotiate with everyone involved about acceptable solutions, but that is up to them – we are not the ones refusing to negotiate, they are," Putin said.
"I believe that we are acting in the right direction, we are defending our national interests, the interests of our citizens, our people. And we have no other choice but to protect our citizens," he added.
From Moscow's point of view, a signal of Ukraine's 'seriousness' about talks would likely hinge on Kiev's willingness to compromise on territorial concessions, especially regarding the Donbas in the east. Additionally the Ukrainians would likely have to acknowledge Russian control over the Crimea.
However, President Zelensky on Wednesday in his speech before Congress pledged "absolute victory" and has of late been vehement in rejecting any talk of letting go of territory as a non-starter, especially as the months-long Ukrainian counteroffensive has met with some significant successes.
Also in the interview Putin continued his theme of the US and NATO waging a proxy war using Ukraine as a pawn. He said in the Sunday comments that the West is attempting to "tear apart" Russia.
"At the core of it all is the policy of our geopolitical opponents, aiming to tear apart Russia, the historical Russia," Putin said. "They have always tried to ‘divide and conquer’… Our goal is something else – to unite the Russian people."
moar
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/putin-ready-negotiate-end-ukraine-war-west-wants-tear-apart-russia