Putin ready to negotiate end to Ukraine war if new momentum emerges
Geopolitics Impact 4
Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that Russia is ready to return to serious negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine if new efforts help move the talks forward. Speaking to reporters after a summit in Kyrgyzstan, he said Russia does not oppose negotiations if any party can create positive momentum and keep the talks going. However, Putin expressed confidence that Russian forces will prevail in Ukraine and said Ukrainian forces will collapse. He also noted that drones are one of the key challenges facing the Russian military, but Russia is taking steps to address the issue. Putin also mentioned working with close associates of former U.S. President Donald Trump, saying Russia feels much more comfortable working with people it trusts, and named Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff as individuals Russia would welcome. When asked about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's statement that Ukraine is ready to close Russia's airspace, Putin said he had not heard of it but considered the statement to sound like state terrorism, adding that Russia will not negotiate with terrorists and will respond.
