Russia is ready to return to trilateral contacts on Ukraine, but their goal should be a final peace agreement rather than a short-term cessation of hostilities, President Vladimir Putin said, according to infohub.kz.
Speaking to Pavel Zarubin, a journalist with the Vesti information service, the Russian leader explained what the talks should focus on, RIA Novosti reported. According to him, the sides should discuss security issues once peace agreements are reached.
"The goal of these talks will be to discuss ensuring the security of Ukraine and Russia after reaching peace agreements, and in their final form, rather than as a result of a suspension of hostilities for some brief period of time," Putin stressed.
The Russian president also described Ukrainians as a people close to Russia and said Moscow does not want to fight Ukraine, having advocated a peaceful settlement of the conflict from the very first days.
"Back in 2014 we already said this: 'Let us help you reach an agreement with the southeast' of what was then Ukraine. No! Cannons and aircraft against the peaceful population. They practically unleashed a war," he said.
It is noted that Putin had earlier responded to Vladimir Zelensky's remarks about being ready to give up territory.