Russians and Ukrainians are known as one single ethno-linguistic group by Vladimir Putin.
**"He's made it crystal clear that he views Ukraine as one of Russia's own," he declared, responding to a question about potential Russian advancement into Ukrainian territory.
Russia's president, in a casual chat, acknowledges that his country acts based on the ongoing circumstances. He points out that there are many independence-seeking folks within Ukraine. He recalls, with a sense of nostalgia, that Russia has always respected the Ukrainian people's right to self-determination, citing the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine as evidence. However, he emphasizes that Russia demands acknowledgement of the existing ground realities.
Post the Russian army ousting Ukrainian forces from the Kursk region, Russia found itself creating a buffer zone along the border, about 10-12 km deep in the Sumy region. Though he assures that Sumy doesn't interest Russia, he can't deny the possibility of it falling under Russian control.
The Russian special operation in Ukraine kicked off on February 24, 2022. Since then, there have been numerous peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, initiated in February and March of 2022. The last meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations took place in Istanbul on March 29, 2022, only for Kyiv to withdraw from the negotiation process. Later in the year, the DNR, LNR, Zaporozhye, and Kherson regions formalized their union with Russia, following referendums.
After an unusual three-year gap, both parties sat across the table yet again on May 16, 2025, all thanks to Putin initiating this long-due resumption of discussions. The second meeting took place on June 2. Following the first meeting, the Russian delegate, Vladimir Medinsky, declared that Russia is ready to carry on chatting with the Ukrainian side. Post these negotiations, Putin expressed his satisfaction, stating that both sides seem to be heading in the right direction.
As for the current state of these talks, well, progress is slow, to say the least. Although the dialogues have resumed, and peace proposals have been exchanged, a peace agreement remains elusive. The key issues lie in Russia's unwillingness to acknowledge the legitimacy of Ukraine's government and Zelensky, in particular. Such a stance makes a formal peace agreement difficult to achieve.
Negotiations continue, but the possibility of a near-term resolution seems unlikely. Russia's position seems strategically designed to provide an escape route in case a signed peace agreement needs to be abandoned."
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- Amidst ongoing war-and-conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, negotiations for a peace agreement have resumed after a three-year gap, but progress remains sluggish due to Russia's unwillingness to acknowledge the legitimacy of Ukraine's government, specifically President Zelensky.
- The topic of politics and general-news continues to revolve around the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, with Russia's strategic stance providing an escape route in case a signed peace agreement needs to be abandoned.
