Russian president offers 'conditional' peace to Ukraine

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday proposed peace to Ukraine, outlining Russia's conditions for ending the war and initiating peace talks.

Speaking at a meeting with Russian Foreign Ministry employees in Moscow, Putin stated that Russia will "immediately" cease combat operations if Ukraine abandons its intentions to join NATO and withdraws its troops from the four Russia-claimed regions -- Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions.

"Today we are making another concrete, real peace proposal. If Kyiv and the Western capitals reject it as before, then it is their business, their political and moral responsibility for the continuation of the bloodshed," he said.

Putin warned that the situation on the battlefield could change unfavorably for Kyiv, and if this happens, "the conditions for starting negotiations will be different."

Putin emphasized that he is proposing to end the conflict, not merely freeze it.

"As soon as Ukraine begins withdrawing troops from Donbas and Novorossiya (in those regions) and undertakes not to join NATO, the Russian Federation will cease fire and be ready for negotiations. I don't think it will take long," he added.

Putin hinted that he does not consider Volodymyr Zelenskyy to be Ukraine’s legitimate president after his term expired on May 20, and identified the nation's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, as the only legitimate authority.