"Overall, we agree that this could be a basis for future agreements", Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on 27/11, referring to the new plan drafted by the US to end the Ukraine conflict.
This marks Putin's first public mention of the plan since the US submitted it to Ukraine last week.
Putin stated that the US is considering Russia's position, but some issues still require discussion. Russian officials are ready for "substantive discussions" when US envoy Steve Witkoff arrives in Moscow next week.
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President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on 27/11. Photo: Sputnik |
President Putin emphasized that he had not yet received the official draft agreement and the 28 points reported in the media "are merely a list of possible conditions". He added that Moscow does not object to adding European proposals, and everything is open for consideration.
"If Europe wants Russia to declare it has no intention of attacking them, we are ready to make such a declaration. However, from Russia's perspective, accusations that Russia wants to attack Europe are baseless", he said.
Regarding military developments, the Russian President said that his country's forces are intensifying their advance. "If Ukraine withdraws from the territories they currently hold, the conflict will end. If they do not, we will achieve our objectives by military means. That is all", he stated.
The US-drafted peace plan initially comprised 28 points, requiring Ukraine to cede some territory, accept limits on its military size, and stop pursuing NATO membership. For many Ukrainians, including soldiers on the front lines, these terms were equivalent to surrender.
The AFP news agency reported that after recent discussions among the parties, the plan has been replaced by a version that considers Ukraine's interests more. A source familiar with the situation suggested that the new draft is "substantially improved", but did not disclose details.
An unnamed US official stated on 25/11 that Kiev had agreed to the peace deal proposed by Washington, though noting that some "remaining issues" still need to be resolved.
Huyen Le (According to AFP, Reuters)
