News Desk
MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia was ready for talks with all parties involved in the Ukraine war but that Ukraine and its Western backers had refused to negotiate.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused the most dangerous conflict in Europe since World War II. The war caused the biggest confrontation between the West and Russia since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. So far, there is little end in sight to the ongoing war.
Russia says it will fight until all its aims are achieved. In contrast, Kyiv thinks it will not rest until every Russian soldier is eliminated from all of its territories, including Crimea.
“We are ready for talks with everyone involved in the conflict for acceptable solutions; however, that is up to the West — we are not the ones avoiding talks, they are,” Putin said in an interview with state television, Rossiya 1 on Sunday.
Russian President vows to defend national interests
Vladimir Putin said Russia was moving in the “right direction” in Ukraine because the Western world, led by the US, was trying to create division in Russia.
“The policy of our geopolitical opponents is to tear apart Russia, historical Russia,” the Russian President said. “The West has always deployed the tactics of divide and conquer’… Our aim is different — to unite and strengthen the Russian people. “
Putin added, “I believe we are moving in the right direction; we are safeguarding and defending our integrity and national interests, the interests of our people and citizens. And we have no choice but to protect our citizens,” Putin said.
The Russian President said he was “100 percent” confident that his security forces would destroy the US’s most advanced air defence system that US President Joe Biden promised to send to Ukraine.
“Of course, we will destroy it, 100 percent!” Putin said, referring to the Patriot missile battery.
