Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has said that Russia is willing to hold peace talks with Ukraine, but only on the basis of the terms agreed during the negotiations in Istanbul in 2022, which were widely viewed as unfavourable to Ukraine.
"Russia is ready for peace negotiations with Ukraine. Ready on the basis of the agreements that were reached in Istanbul and, let me remind you, that were initialled by the Ukrainian delegation. So they were satisfied with everything at the time. I see no reason for us to move away from those agreements.
On the basis of the agreements reached in Istanbul, on the basis of the modalities discussed in Anchorage and, most importantly, on the basis of the realities on the ground, as well as the principles I outlined several years ago during my address at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
Putin also claimed that the so-called "Kyiv regime" is attempting to create the impression that it holds strong positions ahead of potential negotiations.
He believes, however, that Ukraine is not in a strong position and is merely trying to project one. According to Putin, "the realities on the battlefield look completely different".
He further claimed that Russian military units are advancing every day.
