Putin says Russia is ready to negotiate; Ukraine accuses Kremlin of trying to shirk responsibility
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed in an interview on state television on Sunday that Moscow wants to negotiate, even as Ukrainian cities were hit by a barrage of missiles over the Christmas weekend.
“We are ready to negotiate with everyone involved on acceptable solutions, but it depends on them – it’s not us who refuse to negotiate, it’s them,” Putin said.
The claim was dismissed by Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyywho declared that “Putin must come back to reality”.
“Russia has single-handedly attacked Ukraine and is killing citizens. There are no other ‘countries, motives, geopolitics’,” Podolyak tweeted. “Russia does not want negotiations, but tries to avoid responsibility.”
Kherson, which was taken over by Russia at the start of the invasion but was liberated by Ukrainian forces last month was bombed on Christmas Eve, killing at least 10 and injuring dozens.
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Other Ukrainian cities have also been hit by bombardments in recent months, as well as the country’s energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy, who addressed the US Congress during a visit to Washington, DC, this week urged Ukrainians to pay attention to airborne alarms in the coming days.
“There are only a few days left this year. We must be aware that our enemy will try to make this time dark and difficult for us,” Zelenskyy said on Christmas Day. “Russia has lost everything it could this year. But it is trying to make up for its losses with the jubilation of its propagandists after the missile strikes on our country, on our energy sector.”
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Both houses of Congress approved a $45 billion aid package for Ukraine after Zelenskyy’s visit, sending the bill to President Biden’s office.
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Putin, meanwhile, on Sunday accused the West of trying to dismantle Russia.
“In fact, the fundamental thing here is the policy of our geopolitical adversaries which aims to separate Russia, historical Russia,” Putin said.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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