Putin Reaffirms Russia’s Core Principles in Negotiations on Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated that the primary objective of the special military operation in Ukraine is to eliminate the root causes of the crisis and create conditions conducive to achieving lasting peace that ensures Russia’s security and protects the interests of Russian-speaking populations. In a televised interview, Putin further emphasized that the operation also aims to safeguard the rights of residents in regions where the inhabitants consider Russia their homeland. He added that Moscow respects the national interests of the United States and expects reciprocal treatment in return.
Putin’s statement came following a new round of negotiations held in Istanbul on May 16 between the Russian and Ukrainian sides, as part of diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. The talks resulted in a preliminary agreement to exchange prisoners on a “1000-for-1000” basis, along with consensus to present detailed proposals for a potential ceasefire and to continue discussions on future de-escalation mechanisms.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after a phone call with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, stated that Moscow is preparing a list of conditions regarding a ceasefire. The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed ongoing communication with Washington to maintain the dialogue. Lavrov also highlighted the positive role played by the United States in Kyiv’s acceptance of the proposal to resume negotiations and affirmed Moscow’s readiness to continue cooperation with Washington in this context.
Source: News Agencies + RT
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