Accepting 30 Peace Initiatives, President Putin: Russia Never Rejects Talks With Ukraine

JAKARTA - Russia has never rejected talks with Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin said, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs having received 30 peace initiatives related to the conflict between the two countries.

President Putin said on weekends an African initiative could form the basis for peace in Ukraine, but Kyiv's attacks made it difficult for this to materialize.

He spoke at a press conference after meeting with African leaders in St. Petersburg on Friday, hearing their call for Moscow to continue their plans.

"There are several provisions in this peace initiative that are being implemented," he said.

"However, there are several things that are difficult or impossible to implement," said President Putin.

President Putin further said that one of the points in this initiative was a ceasefire.

"However, Ukrainian soldiers are carrying out attacks, they attack, they carry out large-scale strategic offensive operations... We cannot hold a ceasefire when we are being attacked," he said.

Regarding questions to start peace talks, he said, "We don't reject it... So that this process can start, there needs to be an agreement from both parties," President Putin explained.

Separately, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova said on the sidelines of the Russia-African summit, the Kremlin received about 30 peace initiatives for resolving the Ukrainian conflict, through official channels or not.

"We thank everyone. There are many initiatives like that. In my opinion, a month ago there were about 30 (initiatives) made by community leaders through state channels or even personally," the diplomat said, as reported by TASS.

Like President Putin, Zakharova stressed Russia has never rejected negotiations over resolving the Ukraine conflict.

"Even when we understand (the negotiations) it is impossible to bring added value, but we always give partners such opportunities or situations in general," he explained.

Furthermore, Zakharova highlighted Kyiv's move to withdraw from the negotiations they requested in April 2022.

"Several rounds took place and then they stopped responding to the documents and materials we sent at their request. And in September, they themselves were legally prohibited from negotiating with our country," he explained.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected the idea of a ceasefire that would see Russia take control of nearly a fifth of his country's territory, giving its troops time to reunite as war enters its 17th month.