'Legally impossible': Putin finds new reason to avoid peace talks with Ukraine

"Of course, we ultimately want to reach an agreement with Ukraine, but right now, it is practically impossible. Legally impossible. Those who can, those who want to, let them conduct negotiations. We need our decisions to be internationally recognized by the main global players," the President said.

The Kremlin leader added that if certain territories remain under Russian sovereignty, violating any agreements would be considered an attack on Russia. Alternatively, he said, it would be seen as an attempt to reclaim territory that legally belongs to Ukraine.

"These are different things, so we, of course, need recognition, but not from Ukraine today. I hope that in the future we can reach an agreement with Ukraine," the Russian leader emphasized.

He also recalled the existing peace plans from the US and Europe, but once again focused on the issue of elections in Ukraine.

"Signing documents with the Ukrainian leadership is pointless. I have spoken on this issue many times. I believe the Ukrainian leadership made a fundamental strategic mistake by being afraid to hold a presidential election, after which the president lost his legitimate status," Putin stated.

Putin’s statements on ending the war

On November 27, Putin said he would agree to a ceasefire only when Ukraine withdraws its troops from the occupied territories. Otherwise, he claimed, Russia would achieve this by military means.

In addition, Putin stated that Russia agrees that the 28-point US peace plan could be used "as the basis for future agreements".

The President claimed that there was no draft peace treaty, but rather a "set of questions" for discussion and final formulation. According to him, the 28 US points appeared after the so-called peace plan," which had been discussed even before the Alaska summit.