Kharkiv region, Ukraine May 21, 2024. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly willing to negotiate a ceasefire in the conflict with Ukraine that would solidify the current frontlines, according to four sources close to the matter. However, if Kyiv and Western nations do not engage, he is prepared to continue the military operations.
Three of these sources, who are part of Putin’s inner circle, conveyed to Reuters that Putin has expressed frustration over what he perceives as Western efforts to block negotiations and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s refusal to engage in talks. One senior source with knowledge of Kremlin discussions stated that while Putin is prepared to continue fighting indefinitely, he is also open to freezing the conflict at its present stage.
These individuals spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information. A total of five sources familiar with high-level political and business dealings involving Putin were consulted, with the fifth source abstaining from commenting on the issue of freezing the war.
In a press conference in Belarus, Putin expressed support for restarting peace talks based on “realities on the ground” and previous agreements, rather than on unilateral demands. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba responded by accusing Putin of attempting to disrupt a peace summit organized by Ukraine in Switzerland next month through misleading signals of readiness to halt the war.
Putin’s recent appointment of Andrei Belousov as Defence Minister, viewed by some analysts as an indication of Russia’s preparation for a prolonged conflict, follows a period of Russian territorial gains. Nonetheless, sources indicate that Putin, recently re-elected, would prefer to leverage these gains to end the war.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied any intention of prolonged conflict, emphasizing Russia’s recruitment of volunteer contractors over a general mobilization. The sources revealed that another nationwide mobilization would likely be unpopular, as evidenced by the fallout from the initial call-up in September 2022, which caused many young men to flee the country and resulted in a dip in Putin’s popularity.
While a ceasefire seems distant, Zelenskiy has consistently rejected any peace terms favorable to Russia and remains committed to reclaiming all occupied territories, including Crimea. Some sources predict no agreement is possible while Zelenskiy is in power unless the United States intervenes directly. However, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently expressed skepticism about Putin’s genuine interest in negotiations.
The upcoming Swiss summit aims to consolidate international efforts to end the war, though Russia has criticized the meeting’s legitimacy due to its exclusion. The U.S. State Department emphasized the necessity of respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity in any peace initiative, asserting that Russia remains the primary obstacle to peace.
As both sides continue to arm and fortify, the situation on the ground remains fluid, with Putin intent on maintaining control over recently acquired territories and leveraging them for a strategic advantage. Western nations, meanwhile, remain committed to supporting Ukraine’s defense and sovereignty
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