Putin asserts "readiness for dialogue". Ukraine responds

Putin made these remarks in an interview with the Chinese news agency Xinhua, as reported on the Kremlin's website.

"We're aiming for a comprehensive, stable, and fair resolution to this conflict through peaceful means. We're open to dialogue about Ukraine, but it has to involve negotiations that consider the interests of all countries involved, including ours," stated the Russian leader.

Putin highlighted the main challenge of negotiations: the reliability of any guarantees. He pointed out that they're "dealing with states whose ruling circles prefer a world order not based on international law, but on the so-called 'rules-based order,' which they constantly talk about." According to him, this order, "which no one has seen or agreed upon, appears to change depending on the current political situation and the interests of those proposing it."

Additionally, he expressed hope for negotiations in Istanbul in 2022, noting that as a result, Russia withdrew its forces from Kyiv.

At the same time, Putin voiced his dissatisfaction with Western sanctions against Russia.

"Instead of seeking resolution, Western elites persistently aim to 'punish' Russia, isolate and weaken it, and support the Kyiv authorities with money and weapons. They've imposed nearly 16,000 unilateral and illegitimate sanctions against our country. They threaten to divide our country and unlawfully seize our foreign assets. They turn a blind eye to the resurgence of Nazism and Ukraine's terrorist acts on our territory," Putin added.

Ukraine's response

Andriy Kovalenko, who leads the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security Council, noted that Russia is predictably bringing up negotiations.

"Putin's suggestion that talks could happen without Russian troop withdrawal is a tactic. He's willing to discuss Kharkiv region's borders and hinting that if that's not accepted, he'll turn to other regions," Kovalenko remarked.

Kovalenko pointed out that Russia lacks manpower and equipment: "Their threat to Kharkiv and Sumy is a bluff. It's not feasible, just actions near the borders. Their main strategy is to stretch our forces thin and advance in the east."

• In February, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned readiness for a diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine, with consideration of "realities on the ground."
• In March, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mykhail Galuzin and Li Hui asserted at a meeting that resolving the war in Ukraine must address Russian interests.
• ISW further elaborated in April on the Kremlin's increased emphasis on negotiations.