Putin: "Preparing for Negotiations on Ukraine's Neutralization... Will Protect Donbas Region"

"Invaded Ukraine for Donbas Security, No Intention to Occupy"
Pro-Western Entrepreneur Strongly Criticizes... "Will Spit Out Like a Gnat"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that negotiations for Ukraine's neutralization are being prepared and that there was never a plan to occupy Ukraine from the start. However, he strongly insisted that Ukraine must guarantee the security of the pro-Russian rebel regions in Donbas currently under occupation and recognize the separation and independence of the Donbas region.

On the 16th (local time), according to Russia's TASS news agency, President Putin stated during a video conference discussing support measures for local governments amid Western sanctions against Russia, "We are ready to discuss the principled issues of Ukraine's neutral status, demilitarization, and denazification in the negotiation process," adding, "There was no plan to occupy Ukraine."

This remark is interpreted as a response to reports that a draft agreement was prepared during the 4th peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. According to the British Daily Mail, on the same day, the Ukrainian and Russian delegations prepared a peace agreement draft consisting of 15 articles, and discussions for consensus are ongoing. The peace plan reportedly includes Ukraine accepting some of Russia's demands, such as banning NATO membership, prohibiting foreign military bases and weapon deployments, in exchange for Russia promptly ceasing military operations and withdrawing troops from Ukrainian territory.

President Putin emphasized that the reason Russia launched an invasion not by peaceful means but across the entire territory of Ukraine was because of the Donbas region. He said, "If the Russian military had operated only within the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk in Donbas, it would not have been able to eliminate the threat from Ukraine," and claimed, "If we had not attacked Ukraine, they would have threatened Russia with weapons of mass destruction." He continued, "We had no possibility left to resolve the issue peacefully. We had no choice but to carry out a special military operation."

He also urged the Ukrainian government to proceed with the separation and independence of the entire Donbas region. President Putin stated, "To secure the security of the Donbas region, it was necessary to overthrow the Ukrainian central government that oppressed the Russian residents in this region," and insisted, "Ukraine must separate the entire Donbas from Ukraine and recognize its independence."

Additionally, President Putin criticized pro-Western Russian entrepreneurs collectively and hinted at strengthening internal control. He said, "There are 'fifth columnists' who earn money in Russia but mentally live over there," and harshly condemned, "The West will place great expectations on them, but the Russian people can distinguish patriots from traitors and will spit them out like flies that have entered the mouth." The term 'fifth column' is a military term referring to internal traitors who infiltrate a country to cause chaos.

Meanwhile, the Russian government announced on the same day that it would raise subsidies, pensions, minimum wages, and civil servant salaries to support residents facing difficulties due to local government support and Western sanctions against Russia.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.