Editor's word: The story was expanded with a remark from Andriy Yermak, head of Zelensky’s Workplace, and an announcement from Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed reporters on Jan. 24 that Russia is prepared for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on ending the conflict in Ukraine.
"Concerning negotiations, we’ve at all times mentioned — and I wish to emphasize this once more — that we’re prepared for talks on the Ukrainian challenge (Russia's full-scale invasion)," Putin mentioned.
Putin claimed that if Trump's 2020 "victory hadn't been stolen," there may not have been a "disaster in Ukraine." He emphasised that Russia has "by no means refused contact" with the U.S. administration and maintained a "pragmatic and trusting" relationship with Trump.
He moved rapidly to level out a decree signed by President Zelensky after Russia illegally annexed 4 Ukrainian areas, which declared negotiations with Putin "inconceivable" whereas leaving the door open to discussions with Russia beneath totally different management.
"How can negotiations be resumed if they’re formally banned?" Putin requested.
Zelensky's 2022 decree adopted Russia's annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts, actions condemned as illegitimate by the worldwide group.
The transfer mirrored Ukraine's refusal to have interaction with Moscow whereas Putin stays in energy, underscoring Kyiv's place that peace negotiations should uphold Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ukraine's Presidential Workplace head Andriy Yermak dismissed Putin's remarks, accusing him of in search of to sideline Europe in any talks.
"Putin needs to barter the destiny of Europe — with out Europe," Yermak mentioned. He added, "Putin has lengthy wanted to return to actuality himself, or he will probably be introduced again."
Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov echoed Putin's feedback, saying that dialog with Trump might get better if the U.S. "takes into consideration Russia's pursuits."
"If the U.S. beneath Trump takes Russia's pursuits into consideration, the dialog between Moscow and Washington will probably be steadily restored; if not, every part will stay as it’s," he mentioned.
Lavrov expressed dissatisfaction with Trump's group's reported peace proposals on Dec. 29, significantly the concept of freezing hostilities alongside the present line of contact and transferring the duty for countering Russia to Europe.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy