Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine during a press conference in Moscow on Friday of being unwilling to negotiate.
Putin said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky repeatedly makes demands but makes no proposals – and has even signed a decree banning negotiations with Russia.
In contrast, he said Russia was ready to hold peace talks, as he claimed had happened at the beginning of the war.
In response to a question, the Russian president said he was open to Saudi Arabia hosting such negotiations, but stressed that the content is important.
He said Russia is ready for new talks based on the agreements reached with Ukrainian representatives in Istanbul already after the start of the war.
These agreements stipulate, among other things, that Ukraine would have to abandon its bid for NATO membership.
Putin also criticized NATO for fighting Russia “with the hands of Ukraine.”
“Victory will be ours,” the Russian president added, but avoided giving a timetable for the war when asked, saying it was a question for NATO.
Putin has repeatedly said the war will continue as long as NATO members supply Ukraine with weapons, despite ordering the full-scale invasion himself.
The war is on the agenda for the upcoming meeting of the BRICS economic bloc in the Russian city of Kazan, which will take place from Tuesday to Thursday.
