Russia Describes “Hot War” With West To Settle “Post-Soviet Space” Once & For All; Zelensky Urges Direct Putin Meeting
Update(1138amET): The second round of Ukraine-Russia talks are underway, with a “ceasefire” possibility on the table – however this is unlikely given what both sides communicated to Macron prior to the meeting as to their demands. On the one hand Zelensky has said he will not negotiate with “a gun to his head” – and on the other Putin has reaffirmed his military objectives of the “neutralization” and “demilitarization” of Ukraine. Macron expressed dismay after the 90-minute phone call, saying Russia’s objectives appear to be a complete takeover of the country.
“The Russian delegation was led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who said that the Russian delegation was ready to speak with the Ukrainian side for as long as it may take to reach agreements,” according to state-run TASS. While talks were underway, President Zelensky issued a statement saying that he’s willing to sit down to direct talks with Putin. He called this “the only way to stop the war,” according to AFP.
Also on Thursday the head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Sergei Naryshkin, issued a series of bombshell statements which may reveal Moscow’s broader aims in the war concerning how Russia’s sees its ultimate security aims. Naryshkin said that “for us this is no longer a Cold War with the West but a hot war,” according to Interfax. He said in the rare statement that “Russia now has a real chance to put an end to the war that has been waged in the Post-Soviet space for the past 30 years” – as also quoted in TASS.
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