05:48Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on former US President Donald Trump's statements regarding Ukraine during a press conference following the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana on Thursday.
Putin acknowledged Trump's expressed desire to end the conflict in Ukraine, stating, "The fact that Mr. Trump, as a presidential candidate, says he is ready and willing to stop the war in Ukraine, we take that quite seriously."
However, Putin noted that the key question remains Trump's specific proposals on how to achieve this goal. Despite this, Putin expressed confidence in Trump's sincerity and indicated Russian support for such efforts.
Regarding potential negotiations with Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada (parliament), Putin raised concerns about the current political conditions in Ukraine, describing the ruling elite's control as a barrier to meaningful dialogue.
He referenced a 2015 Ukrainian Supreme Court decision that set presidential term limits, asserting that under the Ukrainian Constitution, all powers should transition to the Rada after a president's term ends. However, Putin criticised the Rada for not assuming these powers, implying that engaging in negotiations under current circumstances would be challenging.
The context of Putin's remarks includes ongoing political tensions in Ukraine following the official end of President Zelensky's term on 21st May, which has led to debates over political legitimacy and governance in the country. International organisations like the EU and the UN have affirmed their recognition of Zelensky's leadership despite the expiration of his term and subsequent political developments in Ukraine.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
'We take that quite seriously' - Putin after Trump says he's 'ready and willing' to stop Ukraine crisis
Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on former US President Donald Trump's statements regarding Ukraine during a press conference following the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana on Thursday.
Putin acknowledged Trump's expressed desire to end the conflict in Ukraine, stating, "The fact that Mr. Trump, as a presidential candidate, says he is ready and willing to stop the war in Ukraine, we take that quite seriously."
However, Putin noted that the key question remains Trump's specific proposals on how to achieve this goal. Despite this, Putin expressed confidence in Trump's sincerity and indicated Russian support for such efforts.
Regarding potential negotiations with Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada (parliament), Putin raised concerns about the current political conditions in Ukraine, describing the ruling elite's control as a barrier to meaningful dialogue.
He referenced a 2015 Ukrainian Supreme Court decision that set presidential term limits, asserting that under the Ukrainian Constitution, all powers should transition to the Rada after a president's term ends. However, Putin criticised the Rada for not assuming these powers, implying that engaging in negotiations under current circumstances would be challenging.
The context of Putin's remarks includes ongoing political tensions in Ukraine following the official end of President Zelensky's term on 21st May, which has led to debates over political legitimacy and governance in the country. International organisations like the EU and the UN have affirmed their recognition of Zelensky's leadership despite the expiration of his term and subsequent political developments in Ukraine.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on former US President Donald Trump's statements regarding Ukraine during a press conference following the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana on Thursday.
Putin acknowledged Trump's expressed desire to end the conflict in Ukraine, stating, "The fact that Mr. Trump, as a presidential candidate, says he is ready and willing to stop the war in Ukraine, we take that quite seriously."
However, Putin noted that the key question remains Trump's specific proposals on how to achieve this goal. Despite this, Putin expressed confidence in Trump's sincerity and indicated Russian support for such efforts.
Regarding potential negotiations with Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada (parliament), Putin raised concerns about the current political conditions in Ukraine, describing the ruling elite's control as a barrier to meaningful dialogue.
He referenced a 2015 Ukrainian Supreme Court decision that set presidential term limits, asserting that under the Ukrainian Constitution, all powers should transition to the Rada after a president's term ends. However, Putin criticised the Rada for not assuming these powers, implying that engaging in negotiations under current circumstances would be challenging.
The context of Putin's remarks includes ongoing political tensions in Ukraine following the official end of President Zelensky's term on 21st May, which has led to debates over political legitimacy and governance in the country. International organisations like the EU and the UN have affirmed their recognition of Zelensky's leadership despite the expiration of his term and subsequent political developments in Ukraine.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February 2022 after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements, and urging Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and give assurances that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the Russian action as an invasion. Zelensky imposed martial law throughout the country, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and the US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.