DISINFO: Putin welcomes Ukraine talks, while Zelenskyy rejects them
SUMMARY
Putin has repeatedly stated that Russia is open to negotiations on Ukraine and welcomes peace initiatives, particularly those from the Global South and BRICS members such as China, India, Brazil, and South Africa, as well as those working on the humanitarian track, such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Moscow’s position on Ukraine is well known. Conditions for the immediate cessation of hostilities were outlined by Putin in June 2024. Ukraine has refused and continues to refuse negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a decree banning contacts with the Russian leadership. This position remains unchanged.
RESPONSE
Recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing Ukraine of warmongering and trying to portray Russia as a peace-loving country. This claim was made in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Putin and the Kremlin have a track record of portraying demands for Ukraine's unconditional surrender as negotiations. We have analysed this disinformation tactic in several articles, especially: "Prepare for winter" (30 Nov. 2023), "Russian so-called ‘peace proposals’ are empty PR stunts" (18 Jan. 2023) , "What He Said and What it Really Means – Vol. 2: “Negotiations” (1. March 2022) and "The Kremlin security demands" (21 Dec. 2021).
Despite vocal expressions of readiness for talks, Russia continues its military actions in Ukraine, targeting infrastructure and civilian areas, which undermines the credibility of Putin’s commitment to peace.
In 2023, Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed a 10-point peace plan, which received full support from the EU. The plan includes key elements such as an end to hostilities, the withdrawal of Russian forces, and the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, which Russia bluntly refused. On 9 November 2024, the former High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell reiterated the EU’s pledge to support Ukraine. “This support remains unwavering. This support is absolutely needed for you to continue defending yourself against Russia’s aggression,” Borrell said after meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that US and EU escalate situation in Ukraine, make talks impossible, that Washington banned Zelenskyy from negotiating with Russia, and that The peace summit is another manifestation of Anglo-Saxons' and their Ukrainian puppets' fraud.