Russian President Vladimir Putin has made another series of statements regarding Ukraine, stressing that the prospects for normalizing relations between the two countries remain in question. Putin noted that if Ukraine does not agree to a neutral status, it is “hard to imagine” the possibility of any good-neighborly relations between Kyiv and Moscow.
According to him, Russia previously recognized Ukraine's 1991 borders due to its neutral status.
Regarding Ukraine's desire to join NATO, Putin stated that "we did not agree on that.".
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 this should not be a truce for half an hour or six months, "so that shells can be brought to Kyiv.".
Putin claims that Russia is determined to create 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 ongoing events and the opinions of the residents of the historical territories of Russia.".
