Vladimir Putin lays out terms for Russian ceasefire in Ukraine | BBC News

Summary

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to begin peace talks with Ukraine on the condition that Ukrainian troops withdraw from four regions and Ukraine abandons its NATO aspirations. This statement comes amid the G7 Summit where leaders discussed a $50 billion aid package for Ukraine, funded by frozen Russian assets. The West is countering Putin's narrative, with the G7 agreeing to additional defense support and loans. NATO's Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, rejects Putin's proposal as not in good faith, emphasizing Russia's need to withdraw forces. The situation reflects an ongoing battle for the dominant narrative in the war and a display of Western unity in support of Ukraine.

Takeaways

• 🕊️ Vladimir Putin has stated he would initiate peace talks with Ukraine if certain conditions are met, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four regions and Ukraine abandoning its NATO aspirations.
• 🌏 The G7 Summit in Italy has prioritized discussions on the war in Ukraine, with leaders working on a deal to raise $50 billion from frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine.
• 🤝 The West is attempting to counter the narrative of division and waning support for Ukraine by agreeing on defense packages, financial aid, and air defenses.
• 💬 Putin's response is seen as a geopolitical move to gain support, particularly from countries affected by the war's economic disruption, and to preempt a peace plan summit in Switzerland.
• 💸 The proposed $50 billion loan to Ukraine is significant and could set a precedent for using seized assets' profits to fund future deals, though it is currently just a loan agreement.
• ⏳ The loan money is not expected to be available immediately but is planned to be generated within the current calendar year.
• 🏛️ President Putin considers the use of Russian assets' profits for the loan as theft and has promised repercussions, framing it as a warning against investing in the West.
• 🛡️ NATO's stance is that it is Russia that should withdraw from Ukrainian territory, not Ukraine from its own land, rejecting Putin's proposal as not made in good faith.
• 🎭 The situation is described as 'theatrical' with Putin's demands being far-fetched and unpalatable to Ukraine, aiming to solidify and expand Russian presence in Ukraine.
• 🔄 There is skepticism about the possibility of trust in Putin's promises due to past actions, such as the annexation of Crimea and other regions against earlier assurances.
• 🇺🇲 The US has signed a 10-year security pact with Ukraine, demonstrating a long-term commitment to protect and support the country.

Q & A

What conditions did Vladimir Putin state for starting peace talks with Ukraine?

Vladimir Putin stated that he would start peace talks with Ukraine immediately if its troops pull back from four regions of the country and Ukraine gives up its bid to be part of NATO.

What is the current focus of the G7 Summit in southern Italy?

The war in Ukraine has topped the agenda at the G7 Summit in southern Italy, where leaders are discussing ways to support Ukraine.

What deal is being discussed at the G7 Summit to help Ukraine with aid?

Leaders at the G7 Summit are discussing a deal to raise $50 billion from frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine with aid.

What is the significance of the $50 billion loan for Ukraine?

The $50 billion loan is significant as it will be funded by the interest generated on seized Russian assets, potentially setting a precedent for future deals and showing the West's commitment to supporting Ukraine.

How does the West aim to counter the narrative that it is divided and losing patience with Ukraine?

The West is countering this narrative by agreeing on deals such as defense packages, raising more money from frozen Russian assets, and promising more air defenses to show their united support for Ukraine.

What is the geopolitical significance of the peace proposal made by President Putin?

President Putin's peace proposal is a geopolitical move to win international public opinion, portraying himself as a force for peace while effectively demanding Ukraine's capitulation and expansion of Russian presence.

How does the proposed $50 billion loan affect the perception of the West's unity and determination to support Ukraine?

The proposed $50 billion loan demonstrates the West's unity and determination to support Ukraine in the long run, as it is a significant financial commitment that will take time to pay off.

What is the response of the NATO Chief to President Putin's peace proposal?

The NATO Chief, Jens Stoltenberg, stated that it is not for Ukraine to withdraw forces from its territory but for Russia to withdraw from occupied Ukrainian land, indicating that the proposal is not made in good faith.

What is the potential impact of the peace proposal on the global South and emerging economies?

The peace proposal could potentially win some support in the global South and among emerging economies, as many countries are negatively affected by the war in Ukraine due to economic disruptions.

How does the peace proposal relate to the upcoming summit in Switzerland discussing Ukraine's peace plan?

President Putin's peace proposal is seen as an attempt to preempt the summit in Switzerland, where world leaders will discuss Ukraine's own peace plan, and establish a dominant narrative in the conflict.

What is the Russian response to the G7's decision to use seized Russian assets to fund a loan for Ukraine?

The Russian response is negative, with President Putin considering the use of seized assets to fund the loan as theft and promising that it would not go unpunished.

Outlines

00:00

🕊️ Putin's Conditional Peace Offer

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed immediate peace talks with Ukraine on the condition that Ukrainian forces withdraw from four regions and Ukraine relinquishes its NATO membership aspirations. This statement comes during the G7 Summit in Italy, where leaders are discussing support for Ukraine, including a $50 billion aid package from frozen Russian assets. The West is countering the narrative of division and waning support for Ukraine by agreeing to increased defense funding and air defenses. Putin's response is seen as an attempt to win global South support and pre-empt discussions at an upcoming Switzerland summit on Ukraine's peace plan. The narrative battle between Russia and the West continues, with the G7 demonstrating unity and commitment to Ukraine's long-term support.

05:00

🏰 NATO's Rejection of Putin's Proposal

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has dismissed Putin's peace proposal, stating that it is not for Ukraine to withdraw from its own territory but for Russia to withdraw from occupied lands. Putin's demands are seen as an attempt to solidify and expand Russian occupation in Ukraine, which is unpalatable to Ukraine and its Western allies. The proposal is viewed as a far-fetched political move to portray Putin as a peace advocate, despite past broken promises regarding annexation of Ukrainian territories. The G7's unified response, including a 10-year security pact and the $50 billion loan to Ukraine, demonstrates a commitment to support Ukraine against Russia's aggression. The Kremlin's stance is that the use of seized Russian assets to fund Ukraine is considered theft, and Putin has promised repercussions, further escalating the war of words between Russia and the West.

Keywords

💡Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin is the President of Russia, a key figure in the context of the video as it discusses his statement about initiating peace talks with Ukraine under certain conditions. His role is central to the geopolitical narrative of the conflict and peace negotiations.

💡Peace Talks

Peace talks refer to diplomatic discussions aimed at resolving disputes peacefully. In the script, Putin's conditional offer for peace talks with Ukraine is a significant point, indicating a potential path towards conflict resolution but with contentious preconditions.

💡NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military alliance that Ukraine wishes to join, which is a point of contention in the script. Putin's conditions for peace talks include Ukraine abandoning its bid to join NATO, highlighting the alliance's role in the geopolitical tensions.

💡G7 Summit

The G7 Summit is a meeting of leaders from the seven wealthiest nations in the world. The script discusses the G7 leaders' discussions on the war in Ukraine, emphasizing their role in shaping international responses and potential aid packages.

💡Frozen Russian Assets

Frozen Russian assets refer to the funds and properties of Russia that have been seized or frozen due to sanctions over the Ukraine conflict. The script mentions a deal to raise $50 billion from these assets to aid Ukraine, illustrating the economic measures used in response to the conflict.

💡Diplomatic Correspondent

A diplomatic correspondent is a journalist who specializes in reporting on international relations and diplomacy. James Landale, the diplomatic correspondent in the script, provides insights into the geopolitical and diplomatic aspects of the Ukraine conflict.

💡Geopolitical

Geopolitical relates to the influence of politics on international relations. The script uses this term to describe the 'diplomatic air war' and the efforts to win international public opinion, which is a key aspect of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

💡Industrial Arms Race

An industrial arms race refers to a situation where nations increase their military production capabilities. The script mentions this concept to describe the efforts by both sides in the conflict to produce ammunition, which is a critical aspect of the ongoing war.

💡International Public Opinion

International public opinion refers to the general sentiment and views of people worldwide on global issues. The script discusses the efforts by both Russia and the West to shape this opinion in their favor, which is crucial in the diplomatic battle over the Ukraine conflict.

💡Economic Afloat

To keep an economy 'afloat' means to maintain its stability and prevent collapse. The script mentions Ukraine's need for financial aid to keep its economy and government functioning amidst the war, underlining the economic impact of the conflict.

💡Theft

Theft is the act of stealing. In the script, Putin considers the use of frozen Russian assets to fund a loan for Ukraine as theft, setting up a narrative of victimization while the West frames it as restitution for the aggressor's actions.

Highlights

Vladimir Putin has stated he would initiate peace talks with Ukraine if certain conditions are met, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four regions and Ukraine abandoning its NATO bid.

The G7 Summit in southern Italy has prioritized discussions on the war in Ukraine and is considering a deal to raise $50 billion from frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine.

The West is countering the narrative of division and waning support for Ukraine by agreeing on defense packages and financial aid.

President Putin's response is seen as an attempt to win international public opinion, suggesting peace on Ukraine's capitulation.

Putin's proposal is aimed at solidifying Russian presence in occupied parts of Ukraine and is likely to be rejected by Ukraine and its allies.

The G7's decision to use profits from seized Russian assets to fund a loan for Ukraine is unprecedented and may set a precedent for future deals.

The $50 billion loan is crucial for Ukraine's economy, government, public services, and reconstruction efforts.

The loan's funding through interest on seized assets is a demonstration of the West's unity and determination to support Ukraine.

President Putin considers the use of seized Russian assets for Ukraine's loan as theft and has promised repercussions.

NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg rejects Putin's proposal, stating it is not made in good faith and implies further Russian occupation of Ukrainian land.

Vitali Shevchenko, Russia editor at BBC Monitoring, suggests that Putin's remarks are designed to portray him as a force for peace.

Shevchenko notes that trust in Putin is an issue due to past broken promises regarding annexation of Ukrainian territories.

The G7's security package and the 10-year commitment from the US to protect Ukraine signal a coordinated and unified response from Ukraine's allies.

The Kremlin's response to the G7's decisions reflects its disapproval and frames the use of its assets as robbery.

The current situation represents a war of words between the West and the Kremlin, with each side trying to establish the dominant narrative in the conflict.

The West's strategy includes sending ammunition, weaponry, and financial support to force a change in Russia's position.

Transcripts

the Russian leader Vladimir Putin has

said he would start peace talks with

Ukraine immediately if its troops pull

back from four regions of the country

and Ukraine gives up its bid to be part

of NATO it comes as leaders of the seven

richest Nations continue their Summit in

southern Italy where discussions on the

war in Ukraine have topped the agenda

leaders there have been discussing a

deal to raise $50 billion from Frozen

Russian assets to help Ukraine with Aid

let's talk to our diplomatic

correspondent James landale who joins us

there from the G7 in Bari and James how

significant a moment is this what we're

hearing there from President

Putin you got to think of the war in

Ukraine has been fought on three

different fronts you've got the fighting

on the ground you've got the industrial

arms race to produce as much ammunition

as possible for both sides and then

you've got the sort of geopolitical

diplomatic air War to try and win

international public opinion and that's

it's that latter battle that we're

seeing played out at the moment at this

Summit the West is doing its best to try

and counter The Narrative that says the

West is it's divided that it's it's

losing patience for its support for

Ukraine so that's why they've agreed

lots of deals defense packs more money

that's been raised from as you mentioned

from Frozen Russian assets the promise

of more air

defenses and then we've now got

President Putin's response which is to

say well um I'm in favor of Peace uh

just so long as Ukraine pretty much

effectively capitulates and hands over

huge SES of the East and abandons its

support uh for trying to join NATO he's

also I think trying to win a little bit

of support in the global South there are

many countries emerging economies who

really don't like the war in Ukraine

because of the disruption it's causing

to the International Community the

economy at the moment and I think

President Putin is also uh trying to

preempt a summit a gathering of world

leaders is it's going to take place in

Switzerland tomorrow where they're going

to be discussing Ukraine's own peace

plan so essentially what we're seeing

here is part of the two and fro on both

sides trying to establish what they want

to be the dominant narrative in this

war um and James your assessment and we

talked about this yesterday but that $50

billion loan and it is a loan at this

stage and as you touched on there it

will be funded by the uh interest that

is uh generated on seized Russian assets

that not without its controversy but

feels like quite a significant moment

and could set a precedent for future

deals going forward just talk to me

about the importance of that 50

billion look Ukraine needs as much money

as it possibly can get just to keep its

economy afloat to keep its government

afloat to keep um enough of its Public

Services going to try and repair and

reconstruct what's been destroyed on a

pretty regular basis uh by Russian

attacks uh anything that can help that I

think Ukraine is very desperate for but

this money is not going to come tomorrow

they're talking about within this

calendar year so there's quite a lot to

to go before this actually this money is

generated but from a purely impr

principal position yes it is quite a

step for the G7 and in future European

union members too to say look yeah we

are willing to use the profits from the

seized Russian assets to try and fund a

big loan to Ukraine

uh President Putin today said he

considers that to be theft and he

promised that it would not go unpunished

so essentially the argument that he's

trying to get out there is he wants to

tell the rest of the world look don't

don't invest in the west because if they

don't like you they're going to steal

your money that's his the President

Putin's argument the West is saying look

President Putin is an aggressor he has

invaded Ukraine the very least he can do

is give up his profits to pay for a loan

to help Ukraine

uh survive and that's the argument

that's going on at the moment but it is

another step forward and it is another

demonstration by the West to try and say

to the world look actually we are united

and we are determined to support Ukraine

in the long run because this deal will

you know will last for a long time it'll

take a fair amount of time to pay off

James good to have your assessment thank

you that's our diplomatic correspondent

James landale there joining us from the

G7 and as we said uh it's the response

from President Putin that we're keeping

an eye on saying that he would start

peace talks with Ukraine immediately in

his words if troops pull back from four

regions of the country and Ukraine there

are a lot of caveats here if Ukraine

gives up its bid to be part of NATO well

the NATO Chief was asked about those

comments a little earlier during a press

conference take a listen it's not for

Ukraine to withdraw forces from

Ukrainian territory it's for Russia to

withdraw their forces from occupied

Ukrainian

land and uh this proposal

is a proposal that actually means that

Russia should have the right to occupy

even more Ukrainian land all the four

Pro provinces that they claim are not

Ukrainian uh so this just demonstrate

that this is not a proposal made made in

good faith Yan stoltenberg there the

head of NATO let's talk to our Russia

editor at BBC monitoring that's Vitali

shevchenko who's with me Vitali good to

see you um your assessment first of all

about how significant a moment this is

James landale there was saying yes it's

movement but there are a lot of caveats

and they're asking Ukraine to give up a

lot they are and these remarks are

clearly designed to impress it's the

first time Putin is saying anything like

it but they are far-fetched and

completely unpalatable to Ukraine

because essentially what vadir Putin is

demanding is for the Russian presence in

occup occupied parts of Ukraine to be

cemented and solidified and also

expanded to parts of Ukraine from which

Russian troops have fled such as hiran

and parts of Ukraine where they've never

been such as zapia and clearly Ukraine

doesn't want this and it has rejected

these demands um you say designed to

impress to impress who to impress people

in Russia and outside of Russia by

portraying the Kremlin and Vladimir

Putin personally as a force for peace

somebody who makes these proposals that

are perpetually being rejected by

Ukraine and its Western allies and it's

not the first time uh Moscow has made

such far-fetched proposals shortly

before it invaded Ukraine in

2022 Russia demanded that NATO pull out

um out of the whole of Eastern Europe

and the Baltic clearly this wasn't

something that NATO was prepared to do

so that uh demand was rejected as well

and this uh this demand is going to be

rejected too is there any way that we

can look at this as an opening move um a

position from which to negotiate where

both sides May creep closer to the table

and start discussing a potential end to

this war or is this just purely

political theater at the moment it's

theatrical but given how badly things

have been going for Ukraine it's not

inconceivable to see um a situation when

Ukraine will be forced to sit down and

talk to Vladimir Putin but then again

ukrainians will be asking and they're

already asking can we actually trust lir

Putin because in the past he has said

we're not going to Annex Crimea and then

they did it in the past he said we're

not going to Annex any Ukrainian regions

apart from Crimea and they did just that

so there's clearly an issue with trust

as far as lir Putin is concerned and and

when we look at what was agreed at the

G7 so of course that security pack

signed between the US President Joe

Biden and the Ukrainian President

Vladimir zalinski yesterday a 10-year

pack between the US to say we will

protect you long into the future now

this 50 billion uh deal that is done

that loan to Ukraine uh based on the

interest from uh from seized Russian

assets What will the Kremlin be thinking

right now do you think when it looks at

that coordinated joined up you know some

of it is not new we've heard some of

this rhetoric before but it feels like

there is a shift in the kind of unified

response from the allies of Ukraine

right now does it uh that's the position

that the West is really Keen to

demonstrate given all the delays and

problems inse securing funding and

Military assistance to Ukraine so the

least they can do and this is the least

expensive way of doing it is to

demonstrate Unity now when it comes to

Russia's response of course they don't

like it of course they're saying we

haven't been invited to any of these

meetings we don't care you are using our

assets abroad in the west to secure

loans to Ukraine to use Vladimir Putin's

uh wording that's just robbery so what

essentially comes down to is how the

West will be able to force Russia to

change its POS position and that's by

sending ammunition um weaponry and money

to Ukraine so at this stage what we're

seeing coming out of uh all these

important meetings in the west and out

of the Kremlin today it's a war of words

um vital it's really good to get your

Insight thank you that's vital

shevchenko there Russia editor at BBC

monitoring thank you