Responding to the US President’s statement that he is ready for negotiations if Russia wants to end the war, the Kremlin has informed that Russia is open to negotiations as well, but will not leave the occupied territories, Reuters writes.
US President Joe Biden announced at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron that the only way to end the war is the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine. Biden indicated that in that case, he is ready to start negotiations with Putin.
Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin’s spokesman, stated in the answer that Russia is also ready for negotiations, but the troops will not leave Ukraine. «The Russian president has always been and remains open to negotiations that are in our interests.» Putin has said that the so-called «special operation» marks a moment when Russia is finally standing up to Western arrogance and humiliation.
Ukraine and the West believe that there is no justification for Putin’s aggression and that Ukraine will fight until the last Russian soldier has left its land.
Currently, Russia has declared that about a fifth of Ukraine’s territory is part of Russia, but the international community has not accepted these claims. Peskov said the West’s refusal to recognize Russia’s territorial claims is hindering the start of negotiations.
Asked if that meant the talks Biden wanted could not happen, Peskov said: «In short, that’s exactly what Biden said. He said talks are possible only if Putin leaves Ukraine.»
The Kremlin will not accept such conditions and «special military operations», as Russia calls the war, will continue.
Peskov said, that, at the same time, Putin’s readiness to negotiate remains, and the diplomatic solution would meet Russia’s interests.
The war in Ukraine has killed tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides.
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