Putin Says Russia Ready to Resume Trilateral Talks on Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that defeating Russia on the battlefield is impossible and that Russia is ready to resume trilateral talks on Ukraine to reach a final peace agreement. Putin said on Thursday that it has become clear to everyone that a strategic defeat of Russia is unrealistic. He also claimed residents of Russia's historical territories voted to reunify with the Russian Federation, adding it is inappropriate for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss territorial losses. Putin emphasized Russia is not preparing for war with Europe and aims to secure agreements guaranteeing the future security of both Russia and Ukraine. He said Moscow will observe how the settlement situation develops in coming days, and accused Ukraine's leadership of deciding the world should pay, fight, and supply weapons for them.