Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia is prepared to provide a written guarantee it will not attack European nations. Speaking to reporters in Bishkek after a summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), Putin described concerns that Moscow plans to invade another country as “ridiculous” and “complete nonsense.”
“The truth is, we never intended to do that. But if they want to hear it from us, well, then we’ll document it. No question,” Putin stated during the news conference. The CSTO is a Russia-led military alliance composed of several former Soviet republics.
During his remarks, Putin also commented on a United States-backed peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, stating that it could serve as a “basis for future agreements.” He affirmed Russia’s readiness for a “serious” discussion on ending the conflict but reiterated Moscow’s conditions. According to Putin, a prerequisite for a ceasefire is the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
“Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the territories they currently hold – then the fighting will stop,” Putin said. “If they do not pull back, we will achieve this by military means.”
Putin also addressed the legitimacy of the Ukrainian government, asserting it was “legally impossible” to sign agreements with Kyiv. He referenced the fact that Ukraine did not hold presidential elections, which were scheduled before President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s term expired in May 2024. “The Ukrainian leadership made a fundamental strategic mistake when it feared presidential elections, because since then, the president has lost his legitimate status,” Putin claimed.
Ukrainian officials have stated that holding elections is not possible under martial law while the country is defending against a full-scale invasion. In February, Ukraine’s parliament passed a resolution affirming Zelenskyy’s legitimacy to remain in office.
Responding to developments, Andriy Yermak, chief of staff for President Zelenskyy, told The Atlantic on Thursday that Ukraine would not concede territory. “As long as Zelenskyy is president, no one should count on us giving up territory,” Yermak said.
Separately, President Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian delegations are scheduled to meet with U.S. officials to discuss a peace formula and security guarantees for Kyiv.
U.S. and Russian officials are also expected to meet in Moscow next week to continue discussions. According to Putin, his delegation will raise what he called a “key issue” regarding a passage in the U.S. peace plan. The passage reportedly states that Washington intends to recognize only Russia’s de facto control over Crimea and other Ukrainian territories claimed by Moscow.
“That is precisely what our talks with the American side will be about,” Putin said.
Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya previously said the U.S. plan had been altered with input from Ukraine, removing a proposed cap on the size of Ukraine’s army and a general amnesty for war crimes.
