PUTIN SIGNALS READINESS FOR TALKS – As Ukraine Seeks Security Guarantees
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed readiness to return to negotiations on the Ukraine crisis on Wednesday, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the same day reiterated Ukraine’s desire to secure guarantees for its security and end the conflict with Russia this year.
Russian and U.S. delegations held talks on Tuesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This was the first face-to-face interaction between senior U.S. and Russian officials since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022.
Local media reported on Wednesday that Putin answered media questions during a visit to a UAV production plant in St. Petersburg. He said he was informed about the recent Russia-U.S. talks in Riyadh, described the results as positive, and expressed readiness to return to negotiations on Ukraine.
Putin, highly valued the outcome of the high-level meeting, adding that the negotiations paved the way towards resuming cooperation in various areas of mutual interest. Russia and the United States are working together on key issues related to economic, space, and energy cooperation, he stated. Putin also said that he would like to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, though some preparation was necessary beforehand.
Meanwhile, Zelensky spoke at a press conference on Wednesday, reiterating Ukraine’s desire to secure guarantees for its security and end the conflict with Russia this year.
Zelensky urged the U.S. to specify security guarantees and indicated that Ukraine would outline the proportion of resources it is willing to concede in a memorandum.
