Russia wants to end the war in Ukraine “as soon as possible,” preferably through peaceful means, and is ready to continue negotiations — provided that Kyiv and its Western allies are willing to engage, Vladimir Putin said.

Speaking during a roundtable with top editors of major international news agencies late on June 18, Putin added that he is ready to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky and “Russia does not care who represents Ukraine in negotiations, but insists that any final agreement must bear the signature of legitimate authorities.”

The Kremlin has long sought to portray Zelensky as “illegitimate” in an attempt to discredit Kyiv. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Feb. 18 that Putin, who has ruled Russia for over 20 years, is ready for talks with Zelensky, but “legal aspects related to his legitimacy” must be considered.

Ukraine’s allies had generally ignored this propaganda narrative until Donald Trump appeared to echo the Kremlin’s lines claiming that Zelensky was a “modestly successful comedian” turned “dictator” who “refused to have elections.”

  • @Almacca@aussie.zone
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    412 hours ago

    Goddammit is frustrating seeing these so-called ‘world leaders’ acting like fucking toddlers.

  • @AlexLost@lemm.ee
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    312 hours ago

    He doesn’t want to end the war, he wants to stop advancing and keep what he’s already taken. That’s gonna a big fucking NO from Ukraine.

  • @phutatorius@lemmy.zip
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    517 hours ago

    So all Zelenskyy has to do is surrender to the aggressor. Nice and simple.

    Or maybe, instead, the Ukrainians should not only keep dismantling Russian military assets, but also their fossil-fuel refineries and pipelines.

  • @EvilBit@lemmy.world
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    522 days ago

    My Russian is rusty, but here’s a rough translation: “We invaded Ukraine and have had our asses kicked thoroughly and dramatically, but we would still like to win and take a bunch of their territory.”

    I might have missed a conjugation or two.

    • @phutatorius@lemmy.zip
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      417 hours ago

      Putin is betting heavily that Trump will help. However, Trump is probably too stupid and undisciplined to stick to the playbook.

      • @EvilBit@lemmy.world
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        114 hours ago

        There do seem to be some cracks there but he’s still been an incredible purchase for Putin.

    • @WanderingThoughts@europe.pub
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      112 days ago

      but we would still like to win and take a bunch of their territory

      Putin had to. If the war ends with nothing to show for it, it’s his turn to poison himself out of a window.

  • @A_norny_mousse@feddit.org
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    642 days ago

    Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Feb. 18 that Putin, who has ruled Russia for over 20 years, is ready for talks with Zelensky, but “legal aspects related to his legitimacy” must be considered.

    I agree. 20 years is way too long; something is fishy.

  • @Buddahriffic@lemmy.world
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    192 days ago

    Feels kinda like a game of crusader kings iii where you’ve gained some territory but worry that your opponent’s allies might send a large army at any time, plus your vassals are rumbling about revolt, so you want to get that war finished asap but don’t have enough of an advantage to force them to accept your terms.

    Except it’s OK when it’s crusader kings because that’s just a fucking video game and people aren’t really dying on both sides for your ego or power hungry imperial bullshit.

  • palordrolap
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    212 days ago

    Do you remember that episode of The Simpsons where Homer has his arm stuck in a drink vending machine and it becomes clear that he would have been free if only he’d let go of the soda can inside it? And everyone laughs at him?

    Here we see “Homer” Putin with his army stuck in a war holding onto a Ukraine. He even has the same haircut. D’oh!

  • @A_norny_mousse@feddit.org
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    2 days ago

    provided that Kyiv and its Western allies are willing to engage

    Read: provided they agree to our demands

    And even if: Russia has already broken international treaties. Why should it be different this time?

  • NotAGamer
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    2 days ago

    “I’ll stop (for now) if you just let me win.”

  • @EndlessNightmare@reddthat.com
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    112 days ago

    Russia could simply stop attacking at any time, yes? Or at least they could have, not sure if Ukraine would back off at this point given how long this has dragged on.

    Oh, but that isn’t what they actually want.

    • @gloriousspearfish@feddit.dk
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      32 days ago

      If Russia withdraw out of Ukraine, and stop attacking, the war will end immediately. Russia have always had the option of stopping the war, they just choose not to.

  • @Jimmycakes@lemmy.world
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    31 day ago

    Ukraine has so many more drone bombs be a shame to waste them let’s do a few more months of attacks first

  • @cheese_greater@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    Art of the deal strikes again, Fuck off puts. They should demand Putin be exiled to China or some shit. Assad has to stay there or be handed over to ICC