Putin: Russia ready for peace talks based on 2022 Istanbul agreements, dismisses Zelenskyy meeting

President Vladimir Putin announced Russia's readiness to resume peace negotiations with Ukraine, provided they are based on the agreements previously reached in Istanbul in 2022. Putin characterized a recent letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a maneuver to create potential for conflict, stating he saw no value in meeting Zelenskyy at this juncture.

Putin emphasized Russia's stance regarding the Donbas region, recalling that Ukraine was informed in 2022 of the need to withdraw from the area. He asserted that the residents of Donetsk and Luhansk, having declared their sovereignty in referendums consistent with the UN Charter, exercised their right to self-determination and to seek agreements. Russia provided support to these regions, and Putin maintained that no violations occurred.

"We told the Ukrainians back in 2022 that they needed to withdraw from Donbas," Putin stated. "The people there do not want to live with you. They declared their sovereign state in accordance with the UN Charter by holding referendums. The people in the Donbas, Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics used the right granted by international law and declared their independence. They also had the right to reach an agreement with us. We provided them with support. There is no violation here. But no one wants to realize this."

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We told the Ukrainians back in 2022 that they needed to withdraw from Donbas. The people there do not want to live with you. They declared their sovereign state in accordance with the UN Charter by holding referendums. The people in the Donbas, Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics used the right granted by international law and declared their independence. They also had the right to reach an agreement with us. We provided them with support. There is no violation here. But no one wants to realize this.