Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that the Ukrainian side is contemplating initiating negotiation processes, but he emphasized that mere consideration is insufficient and must be followed by actual steps. The remark was reported by RIA News as part of his remarks after a meeting he held post his visit to China. (Reuters)
During an engagement in the aftermath of attending the One Belt, One Road forum in China, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan echoed a similar sentiment. He stated that if Kyiv truly seeks a genuine negotiation track, that intent must translate into concrete action. (Reuters)
Observers note that a key focus remains the reversal of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decree that bans negotiations with Moscow. The ongoing policy stance in Kyiv is seen by some as a significant hurdle to any potential talks, even as regional actors call for dialogue. (Reuters)
Putin remarked that there are signals suggesting Kyiv could be willing to engage in negotiations in some form, though he cautioned that readiness alone does not equal progress and that substantive steps are required. (Reuters)
In remarks following a press conference in China, Putin also addressed the notion that Russia had lost the war in Ukraine, describing such statements as absurd. He reiterated his position in a broader exchange with reporters about the path forward and the conditions under which talks might be possible. (Reuters)
At the same event, Putin quipped about the notion of a “supreme government” in Russia, indicating a moment of levity amid discussions on the broader political framework and decision-making processes at home and in relation to international diplomacy. (Reuters)