Putin indicated that the resolution of the conflict could be achieved either through armed liberation of these territories or through the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from these lands, which would lead to the cessation of hostilities. He stated this in an interview with the India Today television channel.
“The residents of these regions of Ukraine have already expressed a desire to be independent,” Putin added, noting that the Russian side had called on Ukrainian forces to leave the territory, but they preferred to continue military actions. “Now they are reaping the consequences of that choice,” he noted.
During a conversation with American representatives in the Kremlin, Putin also discussed key points of the peace plan for Ukraine. He noted that some topics can be discussed, but on others, the parties cannot reach an agreement.
“The task of achieving consensus between the conflicting parties is extremely challenging,” he emphasized.
Commenting on the question of Russia's return to the "Group of Eight" (G8), Putin responded negatively, explaining that he had long stopped participating in these meetings. “I don’t understand why the G7 considers itself a seven. What’s so great about that?” he added, noting that it is still an important platform for discussion and decision-making.
The full interview will be published at 21:00 local time; at the time of publication, only fragments are available.
This interview took place on the eve of Putin's visit to India, scheduled for December 4.
On December 2, Vladimir Putin discussed the peace plan for Ukraine with U.S. special envoy Steve Whitcoff and U.S. President's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov stated that no compromise had been reached. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the main point of contention remains control over the territories of the DPR, which are under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
