By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday stated that he is ready to meet Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky if the talks are “well prepared,” added that the meeting could take place in Moscow, media reported.
He said “If meeting with Zelensky is well prepared, then I’m ready to meet,” Putin said, according to media reports. “Let Zelensky come to Moscow and the meeting will happen.”
Putin was speaking to reporters in Beijing, he expressed optimism, saying there is “a light at the end of the tunnel,” but warned that if diplomacy fails, Russia will resolve its objectives militarily.
He said the Ukraine war can only end if its root causes are addressed.
Putin blamed the West for trying to pull Ukraine into NATO, called it one of the main triggers of the conflict.
According to President Putin the crisis did not start with Russia’s “invasion” but with a coup in Kyiv backed by Western countries. Putin added that no nation should build its security by harming another’s.
He praised India and China for their attempts to mediate and said he discussed the Ukraine issue with PM Modi and the Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders.
Putin referred to his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska last month, stated the agreements made there could help pave the way for peace in Ukraine. He plans to share more details of that meeting with other world leaders during the SCO summit.
He reaffirmed Russia’s stance, Putin said the UN principles especially respect for national sovereignty — remain “valid and unshakable.”
PM Narendra Modi and Putin had agreed to strengthen economic ties and ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in all sectors, including trade, fertilizers, space, security, and culture.
They had held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin, China, where they had discussed regional and global issues, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the US tariffs.
The meeting between Modi and Putin came at a time when India is facing pressure from the US administration to reduce its purchase of Russian crude oil.
US president Donald Trump has imposed steep tariffs on Indian exports, partly in response to New Delhi’s continued import of Russian crude.
India and Russia have been strengthening their bilateral ties, both leaders Modi and Putin discussed ways to expand their energy cooperation and trade relations, despite this pressure.
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