Laidback Chat: Putin Down for Conversations - Even with Zelensky, Under the Right Circumstances
Open to Dialogue: Putin Accepts Potential Conversations, Including Discussions with Zelensky - Open Discussions Possible - Even with Zelensky (Putin considers)
Whipping Through the Updates: This juicy piece has recently undergone a makeover.
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has shown interest in a chat with Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and even fellow Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, provided certain conditions are met.
Germany in Russian Crosshairs:
If you're Merz and eager for a chinwag, Putin's got an open line. He told DPA news agency in St. Petersburg, "We're always down for that." The rub? Russia doesn't view Germany as an impartial country, given its alignment with Ukraine. Germany's supplying tanks and thus, getting a bit too involved in the war, according to Putin.
Merz has been chatting up Putin since taking office in May, but to no avail; he's been encouraging Putin to declare a ceasefire in the Russian-Ukraine beef. German-Russian relations not so hot these days. Moscow's unhappy about the weapon shipments to Ukraine and even issued a heads-up about the potential Taurus cruise missile delivery for attacks on Russian soil. Putin now claims that German aid doesn't sway the Ukrainian conflict.
Moscow's list of gripes against Germany includes the 2015 Bundestag hack, a 2019 Georgian murder by a Russian agent, and recent spying on the Bundeswehr, among other actions. However, Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin claims that Russia hasn't taken a single step against Germany's interests.
Putin Keen for Meet-Up with Zelensky, But...
Putin's also ready for a face-to-face with Zelensky – it just has to be under the right circumstances. "I'm game to meet with anyone – even Zelensky," he declared. But, Russia wants to know who'll eventually put their John Hancock on the peace agreement.
Putin's still slinging shade at Zelensky by questioning his legitimacy since his term expired last year. The Ukrainian crew says no elections can be held due to the ongoing war, and Zelensky maintains his full powers.
Putin's also in favor of continuing directly with the Moscow-Kyiv dialogues, which were mediated by Turkey in Istanbul. The talks, which took place twice this year, should pick up after June 22. Putin confirms that these discussions have led to humanitarian progress, like prisoner and fallen soldier exchanges.
Q&A Time with Putin and Western Journalists:
The annual tête-à-tête between Putin and Western journalists went down at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in the revamped conservatory of St. Petersburg. According to Kremlin spinner, Dmitri Peskov, Putin wanted to convey unfiltered Russian perspectives.
Putin utilizes the forum to show the world a different side of Russia, bypass the sanctions, and engage with the international community despite the isolation attempted by the West. Additionally, the SPIEF serves as a platform to conduct business around the sanctions slapped on the country, which Putin insists are illegal.
The forum expects around 20,000 attendees from 140 countries, lasting until Saturday. As tradition goes, Putin will deliver an economic speech on Friday and answer questions on a panel.
Despite strained economic ties, many entrepreneurs and speakers from Western nations are showing up at the forum. Russia's currently enjoying high growth due to its war economy and resource exports, but is battling high inflation and a high interest rate that makes investments expensive.
Insightful Details:Vladimir Putin is open to talks with Volodymyr Zelensky only at the end of peace negotiations, provided Ukraine meets Russia's prerequisites, such as territorial concessions and political neutrality. Current negotiations show little progress, with Russia maintaining its hardline stance, and Ukraine refusing demands that compromise its sovereignty.
- The Commission, in the midst of general news, politics, and war-and-conflicts, 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, focusing on managing border security and enhancing cooperation among EU countries.
- As the Russian-Ukraine conflict continues, it is crucial to note that Vladimir Putin's potential meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky under specific circumstances is contingent on Ukraine making territorial concessions and demonstrating political neutrality, aligning with the political sphere and ongoing negotiations related to war and conflicts.
){kind=link}