Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Moscow is prepared to negotiate peace in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, but emphasized that no preconditions will be accepted. Speaking during his visit to China, Putin stressed that any discussions must ensure that no party's interests are neglected. The announcement was reported by Reuters.
During the visit, Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping openly discussed the Ukraine conflict, with both leaders agreeing on the need to find a political solution. Putin expressed openness to China's initiative as a mediator in the peace talks.
"We are always ready for negotiations," Putin said. "We have never objected like Ukraine or its allies. However, the West ignores Moscow's demands and wants to put forward proposals that are in Kiev's interests, imposing them on Russia under the name of 'whole world demand'. This is unacceptable."
Despite his willingness to negotiate, Putin clarified that the West would not be accepted as a mediator in the talks. "We have been cheated in the name of peace agreements before," he said, referring to previous incidents where Russian troops retreated from Kiev under the premise of negotiations, only to face counter-attacks without any discussions.
Analysts suggest that Russia favors China as a mediator. However, Beijing faces a delicate situation, as it seeks to avoid new sanctions from Washington while also not wanting to disappoint its ally, Moscow. The international community is now watching closely to see how China navigates this complex diplomatic landscape.
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