Russian President Vladimir Putin says the peace outline discussed by the U.S. and Ukraine could serve as a basis for a future agreement but insists Russia will end the war only if Ukrainian forces withdraw from territory claimed by Moscow.
00:00Russian President Vladimir Putin says the outlying peace proposals discussed by the United States and Ukraine could serve as a basis for future agreements to end the war.
00:11He, however, reiterates his core demands, saying Russia will cease hostilities only if Ukrainian troops withdraw from territory claimed by Moscow.
00:20Putin has long insisted on legal recognition of the Ukrainian regions seized by Russia.
00:26They include Crimea, annexed in 2014 and much of the Donbass, which Moscow now controls.
00:33For Kiev, which refuses to surrender the parts of Donbass it still holds, any deal that rewards Russian aggression remains unacceptable.
00:41The US plan has faced criticism from both Kiev and Moscow, who say it leans toward Russia and fails to address the occupied territories, the central sticking point in the talks.
00:51Putin said that the US is taking into account Russia's view and has shown Moscow a new draft, though details still need to be negotiated.
01:00He also added that Russia is prepared to offer Europe a formal pledge not to attack if such guarantees are requested.
01:06Meanwhile, Ukrainian and US delegations are set to meet this week to refine a framework discussed earlier in Geneva on peace terms and security guarantees for Kiev.
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