Putin Keeps the Door Open for Dialogue - With Conditions
Open Dialogue Proposed by Putin, Including Discussions with Zelensky - open dialogue is proposed by Putin, involving Zelensky as well.
In an informal chat with news agencies, Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed a surprisingly flexible stance regarding conversations with Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. But, as ever, there's a catch.
Russia and Germany: A Frosty Relationship
If Merz wanted to pick up the phone and chat, Putin said "Радиостанция открыта" - "The radio station is open." However, Russia doesn't view Germany as an impartial peace broker, given Berlin's persistent support for Ukraine, supplying tanks, and being directly involved in the ongoing quarrel. Merz has previously urged Putin for a ceasefire to no avail.
German-Russian relations have hit an all-time low. Moscow castigates Merz for taking the country on a collision course against Russia, particularly the delivery of the Taurus cruise missile to Kyiv. Putin asserts that German aid has no impact on the Russo-Ukrainian war's trajectory. But one can't ignore Moscow's questionable actions, such as the 2015 hacker attack on the Bundestag, the murder of a Georgian by a Russian intelligence agent in 2019, an arson attack on a cargo plane, and recent espionage activities against the Bundeswehr.
Zelensky: A Question of Legitimacy
Putin isn't as eager to engage with Zelensky, though he leaves the door ajar. "Я готов встретиться со всеми — даже со Zelensky." But the question of who'll sign the peace accord remains contentious. Putin doubts Zelensky's legitimacy to do so, given his term ended last year. However, Zelensky claims no elections can take place due to the ongoing conflict, thus maintaining his power.
Moreover, Putin supports continuing direct diplomacy between Russia and Ukraine. Talks facilitated by Turkey in Istanbul should continue after June 22, according to Putin, bringing positive results in the humanitarian field, including prisoner exchanges.
Q&A with Western Journalists
At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Putin shared his thoughts on various topics with Western journalists during a traditional Q&A session. The event serves as a platform for Russia to display its image globally, defying international isolation desired by the West. Despite sanctions, Russia sees the forum as a means to circumvent economic limitations imposed by the West.
Attendees expect around 20,000 participants from 140 countries by the event's end this Saturday, with Putin scheduled to deliver his economic policy speech and answer questions on Friday. Despite constrained trade ties, many Western businesspeople and speakers are attending the forum. Russia's robust war economy and commodity sales have kept the nation growing, although it faces high inflation and interest rates that elevate the cost of investments.
- Vladimir Putin
- Volodymyr Zelensky
- Russia
- Friedrich Merz
- Ukraine
- Moscow
- Germany
- Kremlin
- CDU
- St. Petersburg
- Conflict
- The ongoing balance between Russia and Ukraine continues, with Vladimir Putin suggesting continued dialogue in negotiations facilitated by Turkey in Istanbul, expressing a willingness to meet with Zelensky, but questioning Zelensky's legitimacy to sign a peace accord.
- Amidst the backdrop of war and conflicts, politics, and general news, the Commission has also adopted a proposal for a regulation on the establishment of a European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States, as Russia's relationships with Germany and Ukraine strain, with Moscow accusing Berlin of persistent support for Ukraine and Merz of taking the country on a collision course against Russia.
