Putin open to peace talks with Ukraine in Slovakia ‘if it involves that’ | World Information

Russian President Vladimir Putin has mentioned he could be open to peace talks with Ukraine in Slovakia “if it involves that”.

Mr Putin mentioned Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, who this week visited the Kremlin, had supplied his nation as a location for negotiations because the struggle in Ukraine nears the three-year mark.

The Russian president mentioned the Slovakian authorities “could be completely satisfied to supply their very own nation as a platform for negotiations”.

“We’re not opposed, if it involves that. Why not? Since Slovakia takes such a impartial place,” Mr Putin mentioned, including he was resolved to finish the battle in Ukraine, which began with a land, air and sea invasion of Russia’s smaller neighbour in February 2022.

Slovak international minister Juraj Blanar mentioned Mr Putin’s feedback have been a “constructive sign” for an finish to the struggle.

He mentioned Slovakia had lengthy sought a peaceable answer to the battle and “Slovak diplomacy is ready to actively contribute to the peace course of on this method”.

The choice of Slovakia internet hosting peace talks was tabled to Ukraine at a joint cupboard assembly in October, Mr Blanar mentioned in an announcement launched late on Thursday.

Comply with the most recent updates on the struggle in Ukraine

Mr Putin’s feedback got here as South Korean intelligence providers confirmed Ukraine had captured a wounded North Korean soldier, Korean broadcaster YTN reported.

It marks the primary time a North Korean has been taken by Ukrainian forces since Pyongyang despatched 1000’s of troops to assist Russia within the preventing within the Kursk area.

Ukraine is but to touch upon Slovakia’s supply to host peace talks however President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly criticised the nation, which borders Ukraine, for the pleasant tone Mr Fico has struck in direction of Russia since his return to energy after an election in 2023.

Mr Fico has been vital of EU assist for Ukraine, the place tens of millions have been displaced since Mr Putin’s determination to launch a “particular army operation” to “denazify” and “demilitarise” the 37 million-strong nation.

Mr Putin has repeatedly mentioned Russia is open to talks to finish the battle with Kyiv, however that it could however obtain its objectives in Ukraine.

He has beforehand demanded Ukraine withdraw its bid to affix NATO and requested it to recognise Russia’s good points. Each Kyiv and the West have rejected these calls for.

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Whereas Mr Zelenskyy had for a lot of the battle insisted Ukraine would maintain preventing till it regained management of its territories, his place on negotiations now seems to have shifted.

In an interview with Sky Information, Mr Zelenskyy recommended a ceasefire deal might be struck if the Ukrainian territory he controls might be taken “beneath the NATO umbrella”.

This is able to then permit him to barter the return of the remaining later “in a diplomatic method”.

The Ukrainian chief admitted final week his forces could be unable to recapture any territories occupied by Russia within the east of Ukraine and the Crimean peninsula.

Whereas Kyiv would by no means recognise Russia’s rule, he mentioned diplomacy is the one choice to get Mr Putin to withdraw his military.

The struggle in Ukraine has taken a devastating toll on Russia too. UK authorities and army evaluation estimates that Russia has misplaced round half one million troops killed or wounded in Ukraine.

Such is the stress on manpower that The Kremlin turned to one in every of its remaining allies, North Korea, to supply further forces.

It is thought 10,000 to 12,000 troops have been despatched in October to combat alongside the Russian army within the preventing within the Kursk area.

Nevertheless it is recommended their lack of fight expertise has resulted in heavy losses, with Mr Zelenskyy saying earlier this week that 3,000 North Korean troops have already been killed and wounded.