Putin’s bold call on Ukraine war: ‘Russia open to compromise with…’
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday his willingness to negotiate over the Ukraine war, including talks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Speaking during a televised Q&A, Putin emphasized that Russia has no preconditions for discussions but insisted that any agreement must involve Ukraine’s legitimate authorities.
Putin reiterated that Russia is open to talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, he stressed that Kyiv must also show readiness for compromise. Rejecting claims of Russia’s weakness, Putin argued that the nation has grown stronger since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The war has caused massive casualties, displaced millions, and strained Russia-West relations. Putin defended the invasion, calling it a defensive move against NATO expansion. Despite controlling about 20% of Ukraine’s territory, he dismissed the idea of a temporary truce, favoring a long-term peace agreement.
Putin referenced a draft deal proposed in Istanbul but criticized as a “surrender” by some Ukrainian officials. He suggested future talks should build on this framework. Meanwhile, he admitted he should have sent troops into Ukraine earlier than 2022 and said Russia should have been better prepared for the conflict.
On Russia’s military advancements, Putin mentioned the test-firing of the “Oreshnik” hypersonic missile at a Ukrainian factory and suggested another launch to challenge Western air defenses. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy responded sharply, questioning Putin’s sanity during a press conference in Brussels.
As the conflict persists, Putin maintains his stance on Russia’s sovereignty and readiness for dialogue while defending its military strategy.