Putin Pledges Written Guarantee Against European Attack; Dismisses Invasion Claims Amid Ukraine War Peace Talks

Putin Pledges Written Guarantee Against European Attack, Addresses Ukraine Peace Plan Amid Skepticism

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared his readiness to provide a formal, written guarantee that Russia harbors no intentions of attacking any other European nation. Speaking at a news conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, following a Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) summit, Putin emphatically dismissed widespread assertions of Moscow planning further invasions, branding such claims as "ridiculous" and "complete nonsense."

"The truth is, we never intended to do that," Putin informed reporters. "But if they want to hear it from us, well, then we’ll document it. No question."

Despite this pronouncement, the pledge has been met with considerable skepticism from European leaders. Their apprehension stems from Putin's prior assurances that Russia would not invade Ukraine, an invasion that nevertheless commenced in February 2022.

Optimism on US-Backed Peace Plan, But With Conditions

Turning to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Putin expressed a guarded optimism regarding a draft United States-backed peace plan, suggesting it could potentially form the "basis for future agreements." While reiterating Russia's openness to a "serious" dialogue for peace, he simultaneously issued a warning: Moscow remains prepared to continue military operations and expand its control within Ukraine if deemed necessary.

A fundamental condition for ending hostilities, Putin reiterated, is the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from all territories within eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including areas currently not under Russian occupation. "Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the territories they currently hold – then the fighting will stop. If they do not pull back, we will achieve this by military means," he stated. Ukraine has consistently argued that such a withdrawal would leave its capital, Kyiv, dangerously exposed to a potential Russian assault.

Questioning Kyiv's Legitimacy and Territorial Integrity

Putin also broached the subject of a negotiated settlement with Kyiv but continued to undermine the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government. He asserted that it would be "legally impossible" to finalize any agreements with what he considers an illegitimate administration. This stance repeats his long-standing, unsubstantiated claim that Zelenskyy lost his presidential authority after Ukraine failed to hold elections in May 2024. Kyiv maintains that conducting elections under martial law amidst active military aggression is unfeasible, and Ukrainian lawmakers overwhelmingly affirmed Zelenskyy's legitimacy in office earlier this year.

Adding another layer, Putin insisted that any future peace accord, given Kyiv's purported illegitimacy, would necessitate international recognition. Crucially, he also demanded that the international community acknowledge Russia's territorial gains in Ukraine.

In response, Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Zelenskyy, unequivocally rejected any notion of territorial concessions. "As long as Zelenskyy is president, no one should count on us giving up territory," Yermak told US magazine The Atlantic.

Evolving Peace Proposals and Diplomatic Engagements

The US recently unveiled a 28-point peace plan for Ukraine, initially seen as largely favoring Russia, proposing significant Ukrainian concessions, including territory and the abandonment of NATO ambitions. However, Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya confirmed that the plan has since been amended following Ukrainian input. Revisions include the removal of a proposed 600,000-member cap on Ukraine’s army and a general amnesty for war crimes.

Diplomatic efforts are intensifying, with Ukrainian delegations scheduled to meet Washington officials to refine peace and security guarantee formulas previously deliberated in Geneva. Further discussions are anticipated next week. Concurrently, US representatives, including special envoy Steve Witkoff, are slated to visit Moscow next week for discussions on critical issues, including security guarantees for both Ukraine and Europe.

Putin noted that his delegation intends to raise a "key issue" with the US: a specific passage in the peace plan suggesting Washington would only recognize Russia's de facto control over Crimea and other Ukrainian territories claimed by Moscow. "That is precisely what our talks with the American side will be about," Putin concluded, highlighting the contentious nature of territorial recognition in any future settlement.