(Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he wanted an end to the war with Ukraine, saying the end of any conflict was through negotiations, while the Kremlin denounced the handover to Kyiv by the United States. United Patriot air defense missile system.
These statements come the day after Volodimir Zelensky’s visit to the White House. The Ukrainian president, who was making his first trip abroad since the start of the war, met with his American counterpart Joe Biden, who highlighted the solidarity of the United States.
Russia repeats that it is ready for dialogue, but Ukraine and its allies see it as a tactic intended to gain time after a series of setbacks by Russian troops since the start of their offensive on February 24.
Moscow ensures that Kyiv refuses any negotiation, while Ukraine has set as a precondition the return of the territories occupied by Russia.
“We do not want to fuel the military conflict but, on the contrary, to end this war,” Vladimir Putin told reporters. “We are working on that, and the sooner the better.”
“All armed conflicts end in one way or another with some form of negotiation on the diplomatic channel,” added the Russian president. “At some point, all parties to a conflict between states sit down and seal a deal. The sooner those who oppose us realize this, the better.”
Vladimir Putin also said that he interpreted the decision of the United States to deliver a Patriot system to Ukraine as a way of prolonging the conflict. He was optimistic about Russia’s ability to counter this system.
An “antidote will always be found”, assured the Russian president, describing the American system as “obsolete” and not as efficient as the Russian S-300 system.
Earlier in the day, the Kremlin spokesman said delivering the Patriot system would not help settle the conflict or prevent Russia from achieving its goals.
During a conference call with journalists, Dmitry Peskov also felt that there had been no call for peace or any sign of willingness “to listen to Russia’s concerns” during Volodimir’s visit. Zelensky in Washington, which would prove, according to him, that the United States is indirectly waging a war with Russia by using the Ukrainians.
Considered one of the most advanced American defense devices, the Patriot is capable of intercepting aircraft and ballistic missiles, in particular. Several months should be needed before its deployment, the time to train Ukrainian troops in its use.
Moscow has said that once in place, the Patriot systems will be a legitimate target for Russian strikes.
(Edited by Reuters; Jean Terzian version, edited by Bertrand Boucey)