Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/GAVRIIL GRIGOROV
Topics: Vladimir Putin, Politics, World News, Ukraine
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: Vladimir Putin, Politics, World News, Ukraine
Three Russian sources have spoken out revealing Putin's alleged terms when going into the upcoming next round of direct talks with Ukraine to negotiate a ceasefire.
Talks have been ongoing between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin with the POTUS pushing the two countries towards a ceasefire.
Granted, some discussions have certainly been more positive than others - Trump raising his voice at Zelenskyy and accusing him of 'gambling with World War Three' alongside branding Putin 'crazy'.
However, Ukraine ultimately expressed it's readiness to accept a ceasefire agreement. The countries then agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war - seemingly a step in the right direction. Alas, Russia then returned to escalating the violence further, launching an overnight attack on May 24 killing at least 16, including children, Al Jazeera reports.
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Now it would seem Putin is all ears for peace again - but there are allegedly some T's and C's.
Three Russian sources reported as having 'knowledge of the negotiations,' told Reuters Putin has several conditions he'd want met before agreeing to any sort of ceasefire in Ukraine.
The conditions reportedly include the Western leaders pledging to stop expanding NATO to the east. Essentially, the 'written' document would pledge not to allow Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova to join the political and military alliance.
The demands also allegedly include several sanctions placed on Russia being removed alongside Russian speakers in Ukraine being protected.
One senior Russian source said: "Putin is ready to make peace but not at any price."
It follows Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov proposing a next round of talks to take place between the two countries on June 2.
On Wednesday (May 28), Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a statement Russia proposes holding the next round of direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul in a matter of days.
He said: "We hope that all those who are sincerely, and not just in words, interested in the success of the peace process will support holding a new round of direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Istanbul
"Let me emphasise: right there, on the spot, we are ready to begin an essential, substantive discussion of each of the points of the package agreement on a possible ceasefire."
It follows a conversation between Trump and Putin which saw Putin agree to work alongside Ukraine to draft a memorandum establishing details of a peace agreement.