In a written interview with China's Xinhua news agency ahead of his visit to China, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his narratives concerning the war with Ukraine, again demanded guarantees for aggressor nation Russia, and expressed grievances over the imposed sanctions.

Putin stated, "We want a comprehensive, sustainable, and fair settlement of this conflict through peaceful means. We are open to dialogue on Ukraine, but it must be negotiations that take into account the interests of all countries involved in this conflict, including our interests. Along with a serious conversation about global stability, about security guarantees for the opposing side, and, of course, for Russia. These must be reliable guarantees."

Putin invented a new problem in the negotiation issue, highlighting the main problem as the reliability of any guarantees, given the experience with states whose ruling circles prefer a world order not based on international law but on a "rule-based order," which they continuously discuss but no one has seen, agreed upon, or which apparently changes depending on the current political situation and interests of those who devise them.

He repeated his claim that Russia is "ready for negotiations," had conducted them, and even supposedly reached certain agreements in spring 2022 in Istanbul, Turkey. Putin tries to convince that Russian occupiers were not driven out of Kyiv Oblast but supposedly withdrew as part of these agreements.

However, these claims about a "thwarted peace agreement" have been repeatedly refuted by the Ukrainian side, notably by Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who stated that the positions of the sides "were so different, and Russia's demands so absurd, that the prospects for any real solution were not even visible."

Putin also praised China's proposals for resolving the war but complained that they allegedly "find no support either in Ukraine or among its Western patrons."

"They are not ready for an equal, honest, and open dialogue based on mutual respect and consideration of each other's interests… Instead, Western elites stubbornly try to 'punish' Russia, isolate and weaken it, supply the Kyiv authorities with money and weapons. They have introduced nearly 16,000 unilateral illegitimate sanctions against our country. They threaten to dismember our country. Illegally try to seize our foreign assets. They turn a blind eye to the resurgence of Nazism, to Ukraine conducting terrorist acts on our territory," lamented Putin.

Russia invaded and occupied Ukrainian Crimea and part of Donbas as early as 2014. In 2022, Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, attacking peaceful settlements across the country with missiles and bombs at night. Notably, Russian propagandists in the first days actively spread statements that "Russia will take Kyiv in 3 days," and Russian soldiers advancing on Kyiv had parade uniforms with them to march down Khreshchatyk after these "3 days."

However, the Armed Forces of Ukraine managed to drive the occupiers out of Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy oblasts and continue to hold the enemy on other fronts.

Feeling that victory was unachievable, Russia began to promote the idea of allegedly peaceful negotiations, through which it wants to retain all occupied territories. Meanwhile, Russians continue to terrorize Ukraine, striking energy and civil infrastructure and residential buildings, most often at night.

Despite the vast amount of weapons and equipment, the Russian army suffers significant losses. As of early May – more than 10 years of war and more than 2 years of full-scale invasion – the occupiers have not achieved even the slightest strategic victory – reaching the borders of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Fighting continues in cities and villages in eastern Ukraine for every street and house. The occupiers are seeking weapons and mercenaries from other countries.

In his speeches and statements, Putin continues to distort reality, trying to present Russia as the victim while seeking support from China and North Korea. Particularly in North Korea, he purchases missiles launched at peaceful settlements in Ukraine.

Ukraine considers as a precondition for negotiations only the full withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory, the restoration of Ukraine's 1991 borders, the return of all prisoners, payment of reparations, and the prosecution of military criminals. All this is stipulated in Ukraine's peace formula.

Read also: 10 Steps to Peace Negotiations with Russia. "Peace Formula" by Zelensky at the G20 Summit

Peace with China and without Russia: How Bankova Prepares "Peace Summit" and Negotiations to End the War