Putin Claims the Reason for the Attack on Kharkiv is to Create a 'Buffer Zone' in Northeastern Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that the aim of the country's military advance in northeastern Ukraine is to create a buffer zone to protect Russian territory from attacks by Kyiv. Speaking at a press conference in Harbin, China, on Friday, May 28, he added that the advance of Russian forces in Kharkiv province is a response to Ukraine's repeated attacks on the Belgorod region, located in western Russia. He stated, "As far as the events in Kharkiv are concerned, it is their (Ukraine's) fault because they have repeatedly shelled residential areas in the border regions of Russia, including Belgorod. Civilians are killed in these attacks. They are directly firing at city centers and residential areas. I had publicly stated that if these attacks continue, we will have to create a buffer zone, and now we are doing just that." In response to a question about whether Russian forces plan to capture the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, Putin claimed that the Kremlin currently has no such plans. According to Reuters, last week, the Russian army crossed the Ukrainian border with a small number of its mobile units and captured part of Kharkiv province. The Ukrainian army has had to send some of its forces from other regions to the front lines in Kharkiv province to defend against Russian attacks. In another part of the press conference, Putin stated that he discussed important issues, including Ukraine, with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who shared details of his recent talks in European countries with him. It was previously reported that during Putin's visit to China, the leaders of the two countries signed a joint statement on deepening comprehensive strategic partnership between Moscow and Beijing. Putin also claimed that the West is responsible for the failure of the draft peace agreement in the Ukraine-Russia negotiations in the spring of 2022 in Turkey. He added that the unsuccessful negotiations in spring 2022 could have been a basis for peace, but now any ceasefire must consider the "real situation." Currently, about 18% of Ukrainian territory is occupied by Russia. Putin stated, "This real situation that is forming in the field is our starting point. There is no doubt about that." He added that the likely goal of the peace conference scheduled to be held in July in Switzerland is to give an ultimatum to Russia. Putin said he is ready for negotiations, but Russia has not been invited to this conference. He added, "We are ready for dialogue (about peace) and have never rejected dialogue." He reminded that any potential peace agreement would only be signed with "legitimate authorities" in Ukraine, but he did not provide further explanation.