Putin: Russia is open to negotiations, but Germany can’t be considered as a neutral mediator
Moscow, June 19, AZERTAC
During a meeting with the heads of the world’s leading news agencies, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in response to a question from a German journalist, stated that Moscow does not refuse contact and is always open to negotiations, including on Ukraine.
The Russian President emphasized that regular conversations with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other European leaders were actively conducted a year and a half to two years ago, but were halted at the initiative of the Western partners themselves.
“They themselves stopped these contacts. Let them resume – please. We are open; I have said this many times,” Vladimir Putin emphasized.
At the same time, he expressed doubt about Germany’s ability to act as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine.
“A mediator must be neutral. But when we see German tanks – Leopards – on the battlefield, and now the Federal Republic is considering supplying ‘Taurus’ missiles for attacks on Russian territory, with the involvement of Bundeswehr officers, serious questions arise,” he said.
Vladimir Putin added that such steps would not affect the course of hostilities, but “they will completely ruin our relations.”
According to him, under current conditions, Russia does not view Germany as a neutral party, but as a participant supporting Ukraine—and in some cases, as an accomplice in hostilities.
Nevertheless, Russia is ready to discuss any proposals: “If there is a willingness to talk about this topic and present some ideas, we are always open to it,” he concluded.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held his traditional meeting with the heads of the world’s leading news agencies in St. Petersburg.
The meeting brought together representatives from news agencies of Azerbaijan, Belarus, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Germany, Indonesia, Spain, Kazakhstan, China, the United States, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, and France.
The event is moderated by Mikhail Gusman, First Deputy General Director of the TASS News Agency.
Other news in this section
