Offended by letter and unwilling to make peace: What Putin said about Ukraine in St Petersburg
Photo: Vladimir Putin, Russian President (Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a series of statements about Ukraine at his economic forum in St. Petersburg. In particular, he responded to a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
RBC-Ukraine has compiled the key statements made by the Russian leader about Ukraine.
Key points:
- Putin acknowledged that Ukrainian drone attacks deep in Russian territory are causing damage to Russia and said there is a need to strengthen the air defense system.On Ukrainian strikes:
- On the goals of the war: The primary objective of Russia at this stage is the capture of Donbas. Other issues, including the so-called “denazification,” are to be addressed later through the negotiation track, the Kremlin leader said.
- On the conditions for agreements: Vladimir Putin demanded that “experts” first develop long-term solutions, and only after that could any documents be signed.
- On the letter and refusal to meet: The dictator complained about “elements of rudeness” in the letter from Volodymyr Zelenskyy and rejected the proposal for a personal meeting, saying he “sees no point” in such negotiations.
On Zelenskyy’s letter
Vladimir Putin said he learned about the letter yesterday but only read it today. Instead of engaging constructively, the Kremlin leader mocked several parts of it, including the reference to age.
"Age is not the main thing; it is capacity," Putin said, adding that there are heads of state who are even older than he is.
He then again called for elections in Ukraine and referred to the dispute between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the US president at the White House. According to Putin, Zelenskyy is "refusing the US administration to act as a guarantor."
"And this letter you just mentioned does, in fact, contain elements of rudeness. What is it? Is it a way to create conditions for a personal meeting and negotiations, or is it the creation of an atmosphere in which no personal meetings can actually take place? I think it is the latter," he added.
Refusal to meet with Zelenskyy
Vladimir Putin said he "sees no sense" in a meeting proposed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his letter. According to Putin, Zelenskyy had previously suggested a meeting through an unnamed businessman, but he refused, referring to the "Minsk agreements," which he claimed were used to "buy time" to rearm Ukraine.
"I say that I see no point in meeting. The point exists only for the Ukrainian side — to stop the advance of our forces. We need agreements not for half a year, not for three months, but for a long-term historical perspective. Let specialists work, develop certain solutions. And only after that, it is possible to meet, be present at the signing of documents, or even sign something," the dictator said.
On the goals of the war and 'denazification'
Vladimir Putin said Russia’s primary task now is to achieve the "liberation of Donbas," and claimed that Russia is moving toward fulfilling this objective. Other goals, he said, will be addressed through the negotiation track, including the so-called "denazification."
"We were constantly told: what denazification, what are you talking about, this is nonsense. And yet, just recently, we witnessed the reburial of Nazis with honors and a salute. And who is doing this? The head of the Kyiv regime — a Jew by nationality," Putin said.
On Ukrainian drone attacks
Vladimir Putin acknowledged that Ukrainian drone attacks on deep Russian rear areas are causing damage to Russia. However, he framed this as a "positive outcome" in terms of response measures.
"For us, this means only one thing — we must strengthen the air defense system. And we will do it," he said.
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