Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on the 4th (local time) that he is taking former U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks about a 'Ukraine ceasefire plan' seriously. He also mentioned that his preference for President Joe Biden remains unchanged and that constructive dialogue with the U.S. will only be possible after the results of the U.S. presidential election in November are announced.
According to Sky News and others, President Putin attended a press conference after the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, where he said, "We take very seriously the fact that former President Trump declared he is ready and willing to stop the war in Ukraine as a presidential candidate."
He added, "I do not know well how he proposes to achieve that," evaluating that "this part (the details) is crucial." He further stated, "I do not doubt that he spoke sincerely." Earlier, former President Trump had said during the first TV debate among U.S. presidential candidates on the 27th of last month that if elected, he would "end the war in Ukraine before taking office in January next year."
When asked whether his preference for President Joe Biden among the two candidates had changed, President Putin replied, "Nothing has changed," adding, "Did we not know what might happen? We knew." He said he had seen parts of the TV debate that ignited calls for Biden's resignation but added, "I had a lot to do," so he could not watch it in detail.
Furthermore, President Putin mentioned that constructive dialogue would be impossible until the U.S. election is over, saying, "We have to wait."
At the same time, President Putin reiterated that there will be no ceasefire declaration until Ukraine takes irreversible and acceptable measures. Previously, President Putin had stated that a ceasefire could be declared immediately if Ukrainian forces withdraw from Russian-occupied territories and abandon their NATO membership aspirations, but Ukraine promptly rejected these demands, saying they were tantamount to surrender.
President Putin is scheduled to hold talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb?n in Moscow the following day. RFE reported, citing sources, that Prime Minister Orb?n, Hungarian Foreign Minister P?ter Szijj?rt?, and others will attend the meeting. Notably, this visit draws attention as it comes shortly after Orb?n urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to call for a ceasefire. Sky News, citing the report, emphasized that the far-right-leaning Orb?n is the EU leader with the friendliest relationship with President Putin and has publicly criticized Western military support for Ukraine.
Next week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks with President Putin. According to the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister Modi will visit Russia on the 8th and 9th upon President Putin's invitation. During this meeting, the two leaders are expected to review ways to develop bilateral relations and discuss regional and international issues. This visit marks Modi's first trip to Russia since the 2019 Economic Forum held in Vladivostok.
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