Putin's Closest Aide: "Ukraine Peace Talks to Proceed Based on Russia's Conditions"

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council and a close aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, stated, "Russia is pursuing peace-building with Ukraine on our terms."

Deputy Chairman Medvedev said in an interview with local media on the 8th (local time), "They were our partners in the past, but now we will not comply with the conditions of forces that hope for Russia's military defeat and try to suppress us by force."

Medvedev, who served as Russia's president from 2008 to 2012, is a close aide to President Vladimir Putin and has frequently appeared in media interviews to convey Russia's position since the invasion of Ukraine.

Deputy Chairman Medvedev also asserted the legitimacy of Russia's 2014 military occupation of the Crimean Peninsula and its annexation through a referendum.

He emphasized, "I want to remind that an overwhelming majority of residents supported the annexation and that the vote was conducted in strict compliance with international law. We did the right thing by helping the residents and strengthening the country at the same time."