Putin's peace talks offer met with skepticism by Kyiv

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"Russia is not only prepared for negotiations, but at a certain stage—at the very beginning of this conflict—it engaged in such talks," said Putin, recalling that in March 2022 in Turkey, a "mutually acceptable document, initialed by the Ukrainian side," was developed, but Kyiv ultimately rejected it "due to external recommendations."

The Kremlin leader acknowledged the presence of representatives from Japan, Canada, Malta, Albania, New Zealand, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Finland at the ceremony.

He emphasised that because of the war in Ukraine, Moscow's interactions with these countries have been "reduced to a minimum," describing the "hostile course of escalation and prolongation of the conflict in Ukraine," adopted by some Western countries, as "deeply flawed," aiming at a "strategic weakening of Russia."

Putin added that he "does not seek confrontation" and expressed hope that the diplomats will help form an "objective image" of Russia and its policies, and that their countries will return to the "logic of mutually beneficial cooperation."

This is Putin's fourth statement in two weeks declaring readiness for negotiations with Ukraine. On 18 October, during a meeting with media representatives from BRICS countries, he stated that Russia is prepared to hold talks to end the war, but only based on the agreements developed in spring 2022.

"In Turkey, in Istanbul, we conducted negotiations for a significant period, resulting in a document initialed by the head of the Ukrainian delegation. On this basis, we are ready to continue working," Putin highlighted at the time.

The dictator revisited this topic on 24 October during a press conference following the BRICS summit in Kazan. He noted that Ukraine should return to dialogue on resolving the conflict with Russia, especially given its losses on the battlefield.

"It would be best, of course, to consider the realities and the situation on the ground and sit down at the negotiation table," Putin said.

The following day, 25 October, he declared he is open to "reasonable compromises" with Ukraine, but insisted that the war's outcome "should be beneficial for Russia" and reflect "the real circumstances created on the battlefield."

"Without any doubt, we do not intend to make concessions or compromises here," Putin emphasised in an interview for the programme "60 Minutes."

In response, Kyiv declared that the war must end with the "complete and unconditional" withdrawal of Russian troops from the entire territory of Ukraine.

"These are not only Ukraine's demands. These are requirements of international law," stressed the head of the Ukrainian president's office, Andriy Yermak. He added that Kyiv is "ready to consider" the opinions of other parties interested in resolving the conflict, but "any changes must comply with international law and justice, respecting Ukraine's territorial integrity, inviolability of its borders, and maintaining its full sovereignty."

Yermak also dismissed any "proposals that threaten the country's existence" or its right to self-determination.

One of the conditions for starting peace negotiations, presented by Putin in the summer, was the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions and recognising these regions as part of Russia. Additionally, he demanded that Kyiv agree to a neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear status. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky considered these terms as an ultimatum.