Putin demands from Ukraine "ensuring conditions for the Russian language and the Orthodox Church"

Putin demands from Ukraine "ensuring conditions for the Russian language and the Orthodox Church"

For a sustainable resolution of the conflict with Ukraine, Putin presented other demands besides the concession of four regions and renouncing NATO: "a guarantee of conditions for the Russian language and the Orthodox Church."

He also noted that he "generally positively" assesses the results of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul, especially the prisoner exchanges.

At the same time, he emphasized that although the reaction of the Ukrainian delegation to the Kremlin’s proposal to create three working groups for negotiations "was generally positive, the groups have not yet started working."

According to Putin, these groups will help conduct "deep discussions" more effectively.

"All disappointments are related to excessive expectations. For a peaceful resolution of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, deep discussions are necessary, but not in public," Putin stated.

Putin also allowed for the possibility of halting negotiations. According to him, "if Kyiv believes that it should not cooperate with Moscow at the moment, then Russia can wait."