Astana, May 29 (EFE).- Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that it is “impossible” to establish a specific timetable for the end of the fighting in Ukraine when asked about a recent statement in which he suggested that the conflict was “approaching its conclusion.”
“To set specific deadlines while fighting is still ongoing is impossible. It is not only imprudent, but it is something that is practically never done,” the Kremlin leader said at a press conference at the end of his visit to Kazakhstan.
Putin explained that his previous remark was based on his assessment of “the situation on the battlefield.”
“And our troops are advancing in all directions there, every day,” he stressed.
The Russian leader acknowledged that negotiations aimed at ending the war are currently “on pause,” but said that certain contacts with U.S. mediators continue.
“There are certain contacts, I am not hiding that (…) but there are no negotiations as such,” he told reporters in Astana.
At the same time, he insisted that Russia remains willing to resume the negotiation process.
“We are ready. We have never refused to negotiate. We were not the ones who stopped the negotiations. We are prepared to listen to proposals,” Putin said.
The last trilateral meeting aimed at ending the war took place in February in Geneva. EFE