Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that Russia is ready to continue the war until the last Ukrainian. He has also claimed that there was no US “peace agreement,” only “a set of points for discussion," UNIAN reports.
The plan had reportedly been drafted in Russia and delivered by Kirill Dmitriev ahead of a meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a meeting at which the US was deciding whether to approve the delivery of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, weapons capable of striking targets deep inside Russia.
Putin surprised by US sanctions targeting Russia's key war-financing sector
Ultimately, the missile transfer was rejected. However, the US simultaneously imposed sanctions on major Russian oil companies.
During his latest address, Putin claimed he was surprised by the Washington move.
“There was no conflict between Russia and the US on these issues. We were still on the Anchorage platform. And suddenly the US announces sanctions against two of our oil companies,” he said.
Putin added that Moscow did not understand “what kind of signal” this was supposed to be, insisting the sanctions undermine US–Russian relations.
He also said that Russia is ready to formally commit to not attacking European countries, calling Western concerns over a potential threat to Europe “a direct lie," TASS reports.
The Russian leader called the possible confiscation of Russian assets abroad “the theft of someone else’s property,” claiming it would damage trust in the EU and that Moscow is preparing a response.
An ultimatum without concessions
Putin reiterated that the war in Ukraine will end only when Ukraine withdraws its forces from Donbas.
“If Ukrainian troops leave the territories they occupy, the fighting will stop. If they don’t, we will achieve this through military means,” he said.
He offered no concessions from Russia’s side.
Putin also added that Russia is “generally ready” to use parts of the US proposal as a basis for negotiations.
He also announced that an American delegation is expected to visit Moscow next week to discuss the US plan.
“Russia is waiting for American negotiators in Moscow in the first half of next week, and who they will be is for Trump to decide,” Putin told reporters.
From the Russian side, his aides Vladimir Medinsky and Yury Ushakov will participate in the talks.
