Putin Open to Ukraine Talks Based on June Proposals, Informs Scholz

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed Russia’s openness to resuming talks with Ukraine, contingent on the terms outlined in proposals made earlier this year. During a phone conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Putin reiterated that Russia has always been open to negotiations, which were interrupted by Ukraine.

The Kremlin’s statement highlighted that Putin referred to proposals first laid out in June, during a meeting with the Russian Foreign Ministry. The proposals, as outlined by Putin, include demands such as the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as the Zaporozhye and Kherson areas, the adoption of a non-aligned status by Ukraine, and the denazification and demilitarization of the country. Additionally, Putin insisted that Western sanctions be lifted and that these conditions be enshrined in international agreements as part of any potential settlement.