Putin outlined his vision for ending the war
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin stated that he sees no contradiction between a peace agreement with Ukraine and establishing full control over Donbas. He also reiterated Russia’s readiness for negotiations, but stressed that compromises must come from both sides.
At the same time, the Kremlin leader did not specify exactly what concessions Moscow is prepared to make, and once again repeated his standard statements about the situation on the front lines.
During a meeting with the heads of international news agencies, Vladimir Putin was asked what was more important to him—full control over Donbas or a peace agreement with Ukraine. In response, the Russian leader stated that he does not consider these things to be mutually exclusive. “One does not exclude the other—controlling the entire Donbas region and concluding an agreement. Why do you assume that these are contradictory?” Putin said. Thus, the Kremlin has once again made it clear that it is not abandoning its territorial claims against Ukraine, even amid talks of a possible end to the war.
During the same meeting, Putin stated that Russia is allegedly ready for a peaceful settlement. According to him, Moscow is ready to negotiate and seek compromises. “We are ready to make the compromises we discussed in Anchorage. Ukraine must also be ready to make compromises,” he said.
However, the Kremlin leader did not explain exactly what compromises he meant. Nor were any specific proposals or details regarding a possible negotiation process mentioned. In addition to the topic of negotiations, Putin touched on the situation on the battlefield.
He repeated the familiar talking points of Russian propaganda that Ukraine’s situation is allegedly deteriorating. The Russian president also spoke about mobilization and cases of desertion. Such statements are regularly made by Russian leadership and are often used as a tool of information pressure during discussions on negotiations.
The day before, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also voiced a similar position. He stated that Moscow is allegedly ready for negotiations to end the war but does not see any willingness for dialogue on the Ukrainian side. According to Lavrov, Russia has repeatedly declared its readiness for negotiations; however, at present, as the Russian side claims, the conditions for initiating such a process do not exist.
Putin’s statement once again revealed the Kremlin’s stance on the war. On the one hand, the Russian authorities continue to speak of the possibility of negotiations and a peace agreement. On the other hand, they show no willingness to abandon their territorial claims against Ukraine. That is precisely why talk of peace in Moscow continues to be accompanied by demands that Kyiv has repeatedly called unacceptable.
Currently, there are no signs of a quick start to real peace talks between the parties. The war continues, and political statements about possible compromises remain just that—statements. This is reported by Russian media.
Russia has acknowledged for the first time that the cruiser “Moscow” was sunk by Ukrainians.
On April 4, 2022, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that a fire broke out on the cruiser “Moscow,” ammunition detonated, and the ship sustained serious damage.
Recall that The New York Times reported on the negative reaction from the U.S. following Ukraine’s strike on the missile cruiser “Moscow” on April 14, 2022. The Americans were furious because they would never have approved such an attack, fearing Russia’s reaction. Moreover, Washington was unaware that Ukraine possessed missiles capable of sinking such a ship.
