The Russian President Wladimir Putin is, in his own words, ready to give up one Attack against Europe recorded in writing during diplomatic negotiations. Putin said it was a “lie” and “complete nonsense” to claim that Russia was planning to invade Europe. “It sounds ridiculous to us. The truth is that we never intended to do that, but if they want to hear it from us, well, then we’ll fix it. No question about it,” Putin said on Thursday.
Putin has repeatedly rejected accusations from German and other European politicians that Russia wants to invade other European countries after Ukraine. However, his assurances have been repeatedly questioned in the West, especially since his war of aggression against Ukraine. Even before the attack on Ukraine, he claimed that Russia had no plans to do so.
Putin: Ready to negotiate end of war in Ukraine
Putin also reiterated his readiness for peace negotiations at a press conference at the end of his visit to the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek. US representatives are expected in Moscow next week for talks on a possible end to the war that has been going on for almost four years. It is also about security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe.
Putin once again cited a withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in Donbass as a basic prerequisite for an agreement. Otherwise, Russia will continue the war to achieve its goals of full control there.
Kremlin chief defends Witkoff
Meanwhile, Putin defended US negotiator Steve Vitkoff after a phone call with Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov. “He is an American citizen and defends the position of his president and his country.” After a recording of the phone call was published in Ukraine and the West, Witkoff was accused of being too close to the Russian side.
The conversation was about the ongoing negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Putin left it open whether the recording in which the American gave his foreign policy advisor Ushakov advice about calling Trump was real or not. When criticizing Witkoff, the Kremlin chief said it would be surprising if he had first insulted Ushakov over the phone and then tried to improve his negotiating position in Moscow.
However, the conversations are not easy. “We are conducting this dialogue without insults and spitting, like intelligent people and everyone defends their positions,” Putin said. Witkoff was not commissioned to negotiate by Trump alone, but by the US leadership.