Russian President Vladimir Putin says he reached understandings with US President Donald Trump over the end of the Ukraine war, at their meeting in Alaska last month.
However, he did not indicate whether he would agree to peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky organized by Trump, who has reportedly given a deadline for Putin's response.
Speaking during a summit in China, Putin reiterated his justification for invading Ukraine, laying blame on Western actions.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff noted that Putin had agreed to security guarantees for Ukraine in potential peace negotiations, though Moscow has yet to confirm this.
In Tianjin, Putin also thanked Chinese and Indian leaders for their support in attempting to resolve the Ukrainian crisis. Both China and Russia continue to be significant buyers of Russian crude oil despite Western criticism.
Putin suggested that the understandings reached during his meeting with Trump could pave the way for peace in Ukraine, while simultaneously asserting that Russia's actions were a reaction to a coup in Ukraine supported by the West.
He reiterated his firm opposition to Ukraine's NATO membership, which he believes is pivotal to the ongoing conflict.
Following military escalations, including a recent massive aerial attack by Russia on Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron indicated that Putin must respond to Trump's call for talks.
Trump, meanwhile, has positioned himself as a potential mediator, claiming he could resolve the conflict swiftly.
Both Trump and special envoy Witkoff have mentioned security guarantees akin to NATO's Article 5, which would signify a significant shift in US involvement in European security matters.
The dynamics continue to escalate as Putin faces pressure from European leaders to seek a viable solution to the ongoing war.
