On the 4th, Russian President Putin stated during a meeting with heads of major world news agencies in St. Petersburg that controlling the Donbas region and reaching a peace agreement with Ukraine are not contradictory.
The Donbas region mainly includes the Luhansk and Donetsk areas.
Putin stated that Russia has already controlled the entire Luhansk region, 85% of the Donetsk region, and 80% of the Zaporizhzhia region.
Need to Convince Ukraine That Russia Agrees to Compromise
He pointed out that the Russian side is willing to make compromises on the Ukraine issue, but it is necessary to convince Ukraine of this.
He said that Russia does not oppose Ukraine joining the European Union, but opposes the EU becoming a military alliance. The EU can play a positive role in solving the Ukraine issue, but the way should be to persuade Ukraine to accept a compromise plan, rather than supplying weapons to Ukraine.
He stated that Russia hopes to sign documents with legitimate representatives of Ukraine, and that the agreement reached between Russia and Ukraine will be a historically significant document.
He said that it is very important for Ukraine to hold presidential elections. The proposals made by US President Trump regarding the Ukraine issue could serve as a basis for a peace agreement.
Russia Does Not Refuse Dialogue with Europe
Putin pointed out that Russia does not refuse to engage in dialogue with Europe.
He emphasized that it is not the so-called 'evil Russia' that stopped supplying energy to Europe, but Europe that refused to purchase Russian energy and hoped for Russia's collapse.
He said that the candidates for negotiating with Russia from Europe must be people whom Russia trusts. Russia does not trust those who insist that Russia must suffer a strategic defeat; 'that is the real issue.'
Putin stated that Russia has already controlled the entire Luhansk region, 85% of the Donetsk region, and 80% of the Zaporizhzhia region.
Need to Convince Ukraine That Russia Agrees to Compromise
He pointed out that the Russian side is willing to make compromises on the Ukraine issue, but it is necessary to convince Ukraine of this.
He said that Russia does not oppose Ukraine joining the European Union, but opposes the EU becoming a military alliance. The EU can play a positive role in solving the Ukraine issue, but the way should be to persuade Ukraine to accept a compromise plan, rather than supplying weapons to Ukraine.
He stated that Russia hopes to sign documents with legitimate representatives of Ukraine, and that the agreement reached between Russia and Ukraine will be a historically significant document.
He said that it is very important for Ukraine to hold presidential elections. The proposals made by US President Trump regarding the Ukraine issue could serve as a basis for a peace agreement.
Russia Does Not Refuse Dialogue with Europe
Putin pointed out that Russia does not refuse to engage in dialogue with Europe.
He emphasized that it is not the so-called 'evil Russia' that stopped supplying energy to Europe, but Europe that refused to purchase Russian energy and hoped for Russia's collapse.
He said that the candidates for negotiating with Russia from Europe must be people whom Russia trusts. Russia does not trust those who insist that Russia must suffer a strategic defeat; 'that is the real issue.'