Russian President Vladimir Putin made another series of statements regarding Ukraine, stressing that the prospects for the normalization of relations between the two countries remain in question. Putin noted that if Ukraine does not agree to a neutral status, it is "difficult to imagine" the possibility of any good-neighborly relations between Kyiv and Moscow.
According to him, Russia previously recognized the borders of Ukraine in 1991 due to its neutral status.
Regarding Ukraine's desire to join NATO, Putin said that "we did not agree."
According to him, Russia is ready for peace negotiations regarding Ukraine, but not on the basis of Kyiv's "wishes", but on the basis of "Istanbul" and "today's realities".
Putin said that it should not be a truce for half an hour or six months, "so that shells can be delivered to Kyiv."
Putin claims that the Russian Federation is determined to create the conditions for a long-term settlement.
At the same time, Putin made it clear that he could announce the annexation of new Ukrainian regions.
He stated that "the new borders of Ukraine will depend on the dynamics of the events taking place and the opinion of the inhabitants of the historical territories of Russia."
