Ukrainian statehood is threatened with an “irreparable blow” as a result of the actions of the leadership in Kiev, Putin said on Tuesday at a meeting with representatives of local authorities broadcast on state television.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s so-called peace formula is nothing more than a continuation of the “ban” on negotiations with Russia, Putin said. The core of it is the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. Putin said that no one could force Russia to give up the territories it has conquered so far. “Everyone understands that this is not possible.” The Kremlin chief once again described Ukraine’s counteroffensive to retake territory as a failure.
“Fools” in Kyiv
Putin accused the Ukrainian armed forces of shelling Russian border regions, such as the Belgorod region, in order to distract from their own failure. In addition, the Western sponsors who give money, weapons and ammunition should be shown in this way that Ukraine is capable of responding to Russian attacks.
According to Putin’s statement, the conflict could have ended a year and a half ago if Ukraine had implemented the agreements reached during the negotiations in Istanbul. The “fools” in Kiev controlled by the West then decided to continue the fight.
“Let’s just fight”
Former Ukrainian negotiator and faction leader of Zelensky’s party in parliament, David Arachamija, recently confirmed that Moscow had only insisted on the neutrality of its neighboring country during the talks in order to end the conflict. “When we returned from Istanbul, (British Prime Minister) Boris Johnson came to Kiev and said that we won’t sign anything with them (the Russians) – let’s just fight,” Arachamija said in an interview with the TV channel “1+1”.
However, Zelensky would also have needed a meeting with Putin to sign an agreement. In addition, Kiev hesitated because there were no security guarantees in the event of a peace agreement being signed, Arachamija said. For Ukraine to have neutral status, the country’s constitution would also have to be changed and the NATO course would have to be removed from it.
