Putin says he is ready to guarantee in writing no Russian attack on Europe

Vladimir Putin, president of Russia, has dismissed claims that Moscow plans to invade another country as “lie” and “complete nonsense,” saying that he is ready to guarantee in writing that Russia will not attack another European nation.

Putin criticized Russia’s claims that it is planning an attack on Europe as “ridiculous” during a summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Russia-led military alliance that includes some former Soviet republics, in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

We never intended to do that, in fact. However, we’ll document it if they want to hear it from us. No denying that, according to the Russian president.

European leaders are skeptical of Putin’s claims that Moscow is planning a second invasion because he has repeatedly denied that Russia will invade Ukraine before starting one in February 2022.

Putin expressed optimism about a draft draft United States-backed peace plan, which he said could serve as the “basis for future agreements.” In response to questions about efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Putin also expressed his readiness for a “serious” discussion to end the conflict, but he also reaffirmed that Moscow was ready to advance if necessary and to occupy more of Ukraine.

He reaffirmed that a major prerequisite for the end of the fighting was that Ukrainian troops leave areas in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine, including those that Russian troops currently control, before resuming operations.

The Ukrainian troops must leave the regions they currently control before fighting will end. We will use military force to stop them if they don’t pull back, he said.

A Russian assault on its capital, Kyiv, would be opened up by a withdrawal, according to Ukraine.

The president has “lost his legitimate status,” the statement read.

Putin also made the claim that he was open to a settlement with Kyiv, but once more attacked Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government as illegitimate and said signing any agreements with them was “legally impossible.”

We ultimately, of course, want to reach an agreement with Ukraine, largely speaking. However, as of right now, this is essentially a possibility, Putin said, reiterating unfounded claims that Zelenskyy’s presidential term had expired in May 2024 and that Kyiv had lost control of the country.

The Ukrainian government “made a fundamental strategic error” by cramming presidential elections, adding that since then, the president has lost his rightful place in the world, according to Putin.

Kyiv has argued that it is unable to hold elections while under martial law and protecting its borders from Russian attacks. A resolution granting Zelenskyy’s legitimacy to remain in office was overwhelmingly approved by Ukrainian lawmakers in February.

Putin added that any peace agreement must be accepted by the international community because of the Zelenskyy government’s alleged illegitimacy, as well as Russian gains in Ukraine.

Andriy Yermak, the president’s top official, reiterated on Thursday that Zelenskyy “will not sign away territory.”

No one should bet on Zelenskyy’s presidency as long as they are in office, Yermak told US magazine The Atlantic.

A 28-point peace plan for Ukraine was released last week by the US, and it was widely accepted by Russia. It demanded that Kyiv make significant concessions, including ceding territory and abandoning its NATO ambitions.

Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya reported that the plan has since been modified with Ukrainian input, with the removal of the 600, 000-member Ukrainian army cap and general war crimes amnesty.

According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian delegations are scheduled to meet with Washington officials on Thursday to work out a strategy for peace and security guarantees for Kyiv that was discussed at previous Geneva discussions.

He stated that there would be more discussions the following week without providing specifics.

Next week, Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, will travel to Moscow to continue discussions on crucial issues, including security guarantees for Europe and Ukraine.

Putin stated that his country intends to bring up its own “key issue” with the US delegation, particularly a passage in the peace plan that states that Moscow only intends to recognize Russia’s de facto control of Crimea and other Ukrainian territory.

Source: Aljazeera