Russian President Putin revealed he is willing to hold talks with Ukraine if it accepts the territorial realities of regions occupied by Russia. Read to know more.
Putin to agree to talks if Ukraine accepts “territorial realities”
On Thursday, during his conversation with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Putin revealed his willingness to hold talks with Ukraine. However, it is based on Ukraine accepting the “territorial realities” of places occupied by Russia. “Putin again confirmed Russia’s openness to serious dialogue on the condition of Kyiv authorities fulfilling the well-known and repeatedly voiced requirements of taking into account the new territorial realities,” revealed the Kremlin’s statement.
Russia has occupied major parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. While they do not entirely control the regions of Lugansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Zaporizhzhia, Russia claims to have captured them. “The Russian side emphasized the destructive role of Western states, pumping the Kyiv regime with weapons and military equipment, providing it with operational information and targets,” added the statement.
Erdogan appeals for peace
Additionally, they also talked about the implementation of the grain deal brokered by the UN with Turkey’s aid. The landmark deal helped in restoring the delivery of Ukrainian grain across the Black sea. The Kremlin stated they talked about “the unblocking of food and fertilizer supplies from Russia and the need for removal of all barriers to Russian exports”.
Moreover, Erdogan appealed to Putin to announce a unilateral ceasefire. “President Erdogan said that calls for peace and negotiations should be supported by a unilateral ceasefire. And a vision for a fair solution” stated Erdogan’s office. Additionally, the Turkish president will be conducting a telephonic meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He has been attempting to mediate between Kyiv and Moscow as he has good relations with both nations. In the past, he has attempted to invite both Putin and Zelensky for a peace summit in Ankara.