Putin Mentions Ceasefire Again on Christmas: "Ukraine Refuses Negotiations"

"Ready to Negotiate Acceptable Solutions with All Parties"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that he is ready to negotiate with Ukraine. Putin's consecutive messages about negotiations for a ceasefire following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the United States have drawn attention.

According to major foreign media on the 25th (local time), President Putin said in an interview with the state-run TV channel Rossiya 1, "We are ready to negotiate with all parties related to an acceptable solution," adding, "It is not us who refuse negotiations, but they, and whether to negotiate depends on them." He blamed the prolongation of the war on the West, including Ukraine and the United States, for refusing ceasefire talks.

He emphasized, "We are moving in the right direction and protecting our national interests, the interests of our people and citizens," and added, "There is no choice other than protecting our citizens." When asked if the geopolitical conflict with the West is at a dangerous level, he replied, "I don't think it is that dangerous."

This is the second time President Putin has mentioned a ceasefire following President Zelensky's visit to the United States. Earlier, on the 21st, U.S. President Joe Biden held a summit with President Zelensky in Washington and promised military aid worth $1.85 billion (about 2.3 trillion won). On the 22nd, a day after the summit, President Putin also stated, "Our goal is not to keep the wheel of military war turning but to end the war," expressing a desire for a ceasefire through diplomatic negotiations.

Although President Putin has been making hopeful statements about a ceasefire day after day, critics point out that these are only general positions and the actual possibility of negotiations is low. There is also speculation that what Russia wants is not a ceasefire but to buy time to reorganize the war effort.

In fact, on the morning of the same day, Russian fighter jets took off from two airbases in Belarus north of Ukraine, triggering air raid alerts across Ukraine. On Christmas Eve, the 24th, Russia attacked Kherson in southern Ukraine, killing at least 10 people and injuring 58.

Ukraine criticized Putin's repeated ceasefire remarks, stating that he must acknowledge that it is Russia that does not want dialogue.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the Ukrainian president, pointed out on Twitter, "Russia unilaterally invaded Ukraine and sacrificed civilians," adding, "Russia does not want negotiations but is trying to avoid responsibility."

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