Putin: cessation of hostilities in Ukraine depends on the United States

Baku/16.06.23/Turan: Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, made a series of statements during yesterday's meeting with Russian military correspondents and war bloggers, combining threats of a potential new Russian offensive in Ukraine with mentions of the Kremlin's willingness to engage in peace talks. These remarks mark some of the most extensive comments Putin has made regarding the conflict and his objectives since the deployment of Russian troops to Ukraine over 15 months ago.

Key Points from Putin's Statements:

Ukrainian Counteroffensive: Putin claimed that Ukraine suffered significant losses in its counteroffensive. He asserted that Ukrainian troops failed to make gains and alleged that Ukraine lost 10 times more soldiers than Russia. However, these claims could not be independently verified. Putin further stated that Ukraine lost numerous battle tanks and armored vehicles while Russia's losses were comparatively lower. He also suggested that these losses represented a significant portion of the Western armored vehicles supplied to Ukraine.

Pondering New Land Gains: In response to alleged Ukrainian incursions and shelling of Russia's border regions, Putin mentioned the possibility of establishing a "sanitary zone" to prevent such attacks. The depth of this zone would depend on the situation and potentials that emerge after the so-called counteroffensive. Putin hinted at the Russian troops' proximity to Kyiv during the early stages of the conflict but did not provide clear details on future actions, saying only he could make that decision.

The Kakhovka Dam Destruction: Putin reiterated his accusation that Ukraine was responsible for the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, causing severe flooding. He claimed that Ukrainian forces shelled the dam and then used explosives to destroy it. Putin argued that Russia had no motive to destroy the dam, as it had adverse consequences for territories under their control.

Peace Talks: Putin emphasized that ending hostilities in Ukraine depends on the United States, suggesting that the fighting would stop if the U.S. and NATO ceased providing weapons to Ukraine. He mentioned that Russian and Ukrainian negotiators drafted a peace agreement in March 2022, which Kyiv rejected under Western pressure. Putin expressed openness to resuming talks but criticized the U.S. administration for wanting to see Russia defeated while acknowledging the presence of reasonable people who do not desire a full-blown war.

New Mobilization: While Putin did not rule out the possibility of a new wave of mobilization, he stated that it would depend on the evolving military situation. He noted that the recruitment of 156,000 volunteer soldiers this year made additional reservists unnecessary. He also mentioned that he sees no need for martial law, contrary to some Russian hawks' suggestions.

Grain Deal: Putin indicated that Moscow was considering ending its participation in the deal allowing Ukrainian grain exports from Black Sea ports. He accused Western countries of failing to fulfill promises to facilitate exports of Russian agricultural products and claimed that Ukraine had used the sea corridor created under the agreement to launch drone attacks on Russian navy ships. Putin stated that if Russia withdraws from the deal, it would supply the same amount of grain directly to the world's poorest countries, with discussions planned with African leaders visiting Moscow soon.