President Putin has stated his readiness for a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, offering Moscow as a venue. In the same breath, Putin questioned the utility of such a meeting. He underscored that Russia’s objectives in the Ukraine war are focused on protecting the ‘rights of people,’ not on territorial acquisition. Putin reaffirmed his opposition to Ukraine joining NATO and its potential implications for Russian interests. He further clarified that if Zelenskyy desires peace talks, a visit to Moscow is welcome. Putin acknowledged that every nation has the right to select its security guarantees, which also extends to Ukraine. But, he also stressed that this principle applies to Russia’s security. Putin has blamed Western nations for the conflict, citing their continued provision of arms and economic support to Ukraine. With the war entering its third year, both sides are focused on diplomatic efforts to gain international backing. Ukraine is actively pursuing NATO membership and Western security guarantees, a move Russia considers a violation of its security boundaries.
