Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that the war in Ukraine could be ended through negotiations “if common sense prevails“, but Russia was ready to end the conflict by force if that was the only option, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
During his statement from China, where he is on a visit, Putin said he saw “light at the end of the tunnel“, noting sincere US efforts to find a solution to end the biggest war in Europe since World War II.
“I think if common sense prevails, it will be possible to agree on an acceptable solution to the conflict. That is my assumption”, Putin told reporters in Beijing. He added that he saw a positive attitude in the US government, which, according to him, demonstrated a sincere desire to find a solution.
The Russian president specified: “I think there is some light at the end of the tunnel. But let's see how the situation develops. If that is not the case, then we will have to solve our problems by force.“
However, Putin did not show any willingness to soften his demands on Ukraine, including that it abandon its intention to join NATO, end the controversial “discrimination“ against Russians and Russian-speakers, and accept full Russian control over the Donbas region.
He indicated that he was ready to negotiate with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky if he visited Moscow, but added that it was yet to be determined whether such a meeting would make sense. Putin reiterated that in his opinion Zelensky is an illegitimate president, since his term of office has expired. Kiev rejects these claims, arguing that that it is impossible to hold elections during wartime.
Zelensky is pushing for a meeting with Putin to discuss the terms of a possible agreement, while at the same time calling on Washington to impose new sanctions on Moscow if Putin does not agree. US President Donald Trump, who is trying to mediate, also supports the idea of a meeting between the two leaders and is discussing the possible imposition of additional sanctions on Russia.
Putin stressed to reporters that he has always been open to a meeting with Zelensky, but it must be well prepared and lead to tangible results:
“As for a meeting with Zelensky, I have never ruled out the possibility of such a meeting. But is there any point in it? Let's see,“ he said.