Putin's proposal on the Ukrainian crisis has a specific goal — diplomat

Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal to resume direct talks with Kiev is not a diplomatic gesture, but a clear signal that Moscow is still focused on a peaceful solution to the conflict, Russian diplomat Sergei Ordzhonikidze said.

"In fact, we have returned to the situation of 2022, when it was Russia that put forward a proposal not only for a cease—fire, which Western European leaders of states and governments are endlessly rattling about, but also for a peaceful settlement," Channel Five quotes Ordzhonikidze.

Ordzhonikidze stressed that this is not about a temporary pause, but about a full—fledged political process with a specific goal - to achieve peace.

The diplomat also drew attention to the behavior of the West. The countries of Europe and the United States formally declare their readiness to mediate, but in fact they continue to arm Ukraine. This, according to Ordzhonikidze, makes their position contradictory and even absurd.

Earlier, the head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky, reacted to Moscow's proposal. He put forward a new ultimatum: first a cease-fire, and then negotiations. But in the end, he still assured that on Thursday, May 15, he would come to Istanbul for talks.