Russian leader Vladimir Putin said Russia and Ukraine must negotiate an end to the war themselves, while other countries should limit their role to supporting the process.
According to RBC-Ukraine, Putin claimed there were still prospects for reaching an agreement between Moscow and Kyiv.
“Is this the wrong approach? I believe it is the right one,” Putin said. “Russia and Ukraine must first reach an agreement with each other, while all other countries are ready to support and help, not only the United States, but also the countries represented here.”
The Kremlin leader said the issue should be resolved directly by Russia and Ukraine.
“Are there chances? In my opinion, yes, there are,” Putin said.
His comments came a day after he said Russia was refraining from striking Ukraine’s political leadership because Moscow needed people with whom it could negotiate.
Putin made the statement Wednesday after a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Kyrgyzstan.
Asked whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other senior officials had immunity from Russian attacks, Putin replied: “As you can see, we do not carry out such strikes.”
He said Moscow needed Ukrainian officials who were willing to resolve the issue peacefully rather than seek to “destroy our economy in 40 days,” “bring Russia to its knees” or inflict a “strategic defeat” on the country.
“We need some people there,” Putin said.