Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to end the war in Ukraine through a negotiated ceasefire that recognizes current battlefield lines. Four Russian sources stated this to the Reuters news agency. At the same time, he is also "prepared to continue fighting if Kiev or the West does not respond."
Three of the sources, familiar with what was said in Putin's entourage, according to Reuters, said the president had expressed his frustrations to a small group of advisers about what he sees as Western-backed efforts to thwart peace negotiations and overturn the decision. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to rule out such talks.
“Putin can fight as long as necessary, but Putin is also ready for a ceasefire to freeze the war,” said the fourth senior source who has worked with the Russian president in the Kremlin, according to Reuters. All sources spoke on the basis of anonymity.
In recent weeks, Russia has made many territorial gains on the battlefield. However, the sources said that Putin, re-elected in March for a new six-year term, would prefer to use the current momentum to put the war behind him. Kiev is soon counting on more arms deliveries and support from the West, especially after the approval of a new American aid package.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response that Putin has repeatedly made it clear in the past that Russia is open to dialogue and that the country does not want "eternal war". The Ukrainian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense did not respond for the time being.
