Ukraine deal will require security pledges, ‘assurances’ for Russia, Putin says
- Russian forces recently made some advances in the war, now in its third year, as Ukraine struggles to keep its military supplied with munitions following delays in aid
- Putin made his comments ahead of the March 15-17 presidential election that he is certain to win for another six years in power
In an interview with RIA Novosti published on Wednesday, Putin reiterated Russia’s willing to resolve “this conflict by peaceful means”. Ukraine’s government has previously rejected any deal involving territorial concessions that would reward Putin’s aggression.
“In this case, we are primarily interested in the security of Russia,” Putin said. “We will proceed from that.”
Asked if a “fair deal” with the West is possible, Putin replied: “I don’t trust anyone, but we need assurances.”
Putin warns the West: Russia is ready for nuclear war
Still, he said countries that declared they had no red lines towards Russia should understand that Russia would respond in the same way.
While missiles supplied by the US and the UK cause damage to Russia, they do not change the situation on the battlefield, Putin said. He also dismissed alleged discussions by German officers about striking the bridge linking Russia to Crimea as “nothing more than fantasies”.
Russian media earlier this month published what they said was a conversation between high-ranking German air-force officials about supplying long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly ruled out such a move, saying it would make his country an active participant in the war, amid tensions with allies over the issue that Moscow has sought to exploit.