BISHKEK, Nov 27 — Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the outlines of a draft peace plan discussed by the United States (US) and Ukraine could become the basis of future agreements to end the conflict in Ukraine.
However, if that were not to be the case, then Russia would continue to fight.
"In general, we agree that this can be the basis for future agreements," he said on Thursday, adding that the variant of the plan discussed by Washington and Kyiv in Geneva, Switzerland had been passed to Russia.
Putin noted that the US was taking into account Russia's position but that some things still need to be discussed. He said that if Europe wanted a pledge not to attack it, then Russia was willing to give such a pledge.
The President remarked that Moscow was still being told it should cease the fighting.
"Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the territories they hold, and then the fighting will cease.
"If they do not leave, then we shall achieve this by armed means. That is it," he said, adding that Russian forces were advancing in Ukraine at a faster pace.
Putin said he considered the Ukrainian leadership to be illegitimate, thus making it legally impossible to sign a deal with Ukraine.
As such, it is crucial to ensure any agreement will be recognised by the international community, and that it recognises Russian gains in Ukraine.
He rejected the suggestion that US envoy Steve Witkoff had shown himself to be biased towards Moscow in peace talks over Ukraine, describing it as nonsense.
