Putin Says Russia is Ready for Dialogue on Ukraine's Future, But Based on National Interests

Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, announced on Tuesday that Russia is ready for dialogue about Ukraine's future if Ukraine, the United States, and Europe are willing, but Moscow will defend its national interests. Putin, who sent his forces to Ukraine in 2022, has repeatedly stated that he is negotiating for peace, although Western officials say he is waiting for the U.S. presidential elections in November before making a genuine effort for peace. In a meeting with senior defense officials in Moscow, he said, 'Those who are hostile towards Russia in Ukraine, Europe, and the U.S., are they willing to negotiate? Let them negotiate. But we will do this based on our national interests.' He added, 'We will not give up what belongs to us.' Putin also stated that Russia does not intend to go to war with Europe. Russia controls about 17.5% of the territory that was recognized as part of Ukraine after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and last year declared that four other regions of Ukraine, which its forces partially control, are part of Russia. Kyiv states it will not rest until the last Russian soldier is expelled from Ukraine. On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the military has requested an additional 450,000 to 500,000 personnel to join the armed forces, but a final decision has not yet been made. In a press conference in Kyiv, the Ukrainian President said that due to the importance of mobilizing several hundred thousand troops, the parliament will review this issue after negotiations among senior military and government officials. He added that such a large-scale mobilization requires additional budget and stated, 'Their (the military's) opinion was... they proposed mobilizing an additional 450,000 to 500,000 people. This number is very serious.'