Beijing (TDI): Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said that the conflict in Ukraine could still be resolved through negotiations if “common sense prevails,” but warned that Russia was prepared to rely on force if necessary.
Speaking in Beijing at the conclusion of a visit that also produced a new gas pipeline agreement with China, Putin suggested there were tentative signs of progress. He pointed to what he described as genuine efforts from Washington to explore a possible settlement to the largest European conflict since the Second World War.
“In my view, if reason prevails, we can reach an acceptable arrangement to end this war,” he told reporters. “We can see the current approach of President Donald Trump’s administration, and not only in their words but in their genuine attempts to pursue a solution. That gives me some cautious optimism. But we will see how events unfold,” he added.
Putin stressed that if talks fail, Russia would pursue its objectives through military means.
At the same time, he showed no indication of softening Moscow’s long-standing demands, that Ukraine must abandon ambitions of NATO membership and end what the Kremlin claims is unfair treatment of Russian-speaking communities.
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The Russian leader said he was willing to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, but only in Moscow and only if such a meeting was carefully prepared to produce “real outcomes.” Kyiv quickly dismissed Moscow as an unacceptable venue for any talks.
Zelenskiy, meanwhile, has been calling for direct talks with Putin to explore the terms of a possible agreement, though the two sides remain far apart. He has also pressed Washington to increase sanctions against Moscow if Putin refuses to compromise.
US President Trump, who has been attempting to mediate, has urged the two leaders to meet. He has threatened secondary sanctions against Russia but has yet to enforce them.
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While acknowledging that Western sanctions are beginning to strain Russia’s economy, Putin insisted he still preferred to end the war “by peaceful means” if that proves possible.
Moscow continues to claim it has annexed four regions of Ukraine, a move widely denounced by Kyiv and its Western partners as an illegal attempt to redraw borders through force.
