Putin calls Ukraine's peace proposals "exotic" and unacceptable

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described some of the peace proposals put forward by Ukraine as "exotic" and unacceptable to Russia, according to an interview with Kremlin propagandist Pavel Zarubin. The interview was distributed by the state-run news agency RIA Novosti and the Telegram channel Vy slushali, which posted video excerpts.

Putin said Kyiv's leadership appears to be trying to prevent the situation from escalating into a catastrophe, and that this indeed seems to be the direction events are taking. However, he said, the proposals Russia sometimes receives are "exotic" in nature and unacceptable. He added that Russia remains ready for dialogue on peace, but only on the basis of the realities on the ground.

No specifics given

Putin declined to specify which "exotic proposals" he claims to have received from Kyiv. He described them as a form of probing for possible areas of agreement, noting that similar proposals had been voiced before in various forms but are now being presented differently given the current situation. He said it remains too early to discuss what could form the basis of any eventual agreement.

The Kremlin leader also claimed that Kyiv had "opened Pandora's box" by striking civilian targets inside Russia and is now facing a response. Putin said that if Ukraine seeks to disrupt Russian logistics, Russia can raise the matter with its adversary, and that a corresponding reaction would not be long in coming. He added that the actions of Russia's armed forces are far more significant and destructive.