Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum, Putin called "one of the root causes of Ukraine's involvement in NATO" the possible deployment of "foreign contingents" in Ukraine: "If any troops appear there, especially now, during the course of hostilities, we assume that they will be legitimate targets for their defeat," Putin said, adding that in the event of achieving a "long-term peace" the presence of Western military "will make no sense." He had previously called the possible deployment of troops to Ukraine an "intervention."
He also again stated that the best place for a meeting with the "Ukrainian leadership at the highest level" is "the capital of the Russian Federation, the hero city of Moscow": "I said: I am ready, please come, we will definitely provide conditions for work and security. A one hundred percent guarantee." At the same time, Putin noted that he "does not see much point" in direct contacts with Zelensky, as it will be impossible to agree on "key issues" with the President of Ukraine, because "the security of one country should not be ensured at the expense of the security of another country." Security guarantees should be for both Russia and Ukraine, and the Russian Federation will respect them. "No one has discussed this with us at a serious level yet," he said.
Putin also again spoke about the Constitution of Ukraine and its recent history. He called joining the EU "a legitimate choice of Ukraine," but reported that Viktor Yanukovych "shed tears when he learned of the economic consequences for the country from joining the bloc." He also reminded that any territorial issues, according to the Constitution of Ukraine, must be confirmed by a referendum, which cannot be held during martial law, and if it is lifted, presidential elections must be held immediately.
"After the referendum, regardless of its results, it will be necessary to obtain a decision from the Constitutional Court, and the Constitutional Court is not working because after the request to the Constitutional Court about the legitimacy of the current government, the court evaded these decisions and the head of the regime simply ordered the security not to let the chairman of the Constitutional Court to his workplace, and the chairman of the Supreme Court is in prison on charges of corruption," Putin presented his version of events. He then expressed his opinion that there is "enough of this corruption in Ukraine, but why it was necessary to imprison the chairman of the Supreme Court is not very clear." Putin noted that in Ukraine "it has come to the destruction of the judicial system as such," therefore the "endless process" for a peace agreement is going "nowhere."
Photo: Vedomosti