Russian President Vladimir Putin is not in a position to set Ukraine conditions for peace, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said today, quoted by Reuters, writes BTA.
Earlier today, Putin said Russia would end the war in Ukraine only if Kiev gave up its ambitions to join NATO, relinquished four of its territories claimed by Moscow and demilitarized.< /p>
"He is not in a position to dictate to Ukraine what they should do to achieve peace,", Austin told reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
Russia currently controls about a fifth of Ukraine's territory. Kiev says peace is only possible if Russian forces withdraw from Ukraine and restore Ukraine's territorial integrity, Reuters notes.
"Hundreds of thousands of soldiers were wounded and killed in this unjust and unprovoked invasion. He can end it today if he chooses to do so. We urge him to do so and leave the sovereign territory of Ukraine," Lloyd Austin said.
In his speech today, Putin said that "the future existence of Ukraine" it depends on Kiev adopting a neutral status and opening negotiations with Russia. The Russian leader said that the military situation of Ukrainian forces will worsen if Ukraine rejects the offer.
According to Reuters, Putin purposefully delivered his speech at a time when it would coincide with the meeting in Switzerland devoted to peace in Ukraine.
The speech was delivered before this year's meeting of the leaders of the NATO countries, which will take place in Washington.