Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he is ready to negotiate with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodimir Zelenski, even though in the middle of Christmas, he has not ceased attacks against Ukraine.
In an interview with state television, Putin said he was "ready to negotiate with all those involved" although he added that it would depend on his adversaries.
"We are ready to negotiate with everyone involved about acceptable solutions, but that is up to them - we are not the ones refusing to negotiate, they are," Putin noted.
In response to the Russian president's statement, Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the Ukrainian president, said that Putin "needs to come back to reality."
Putin needs to come back to reality.
1. Russia single-handedly attacked Ukraine and is killing citizens. There are no other "countries, motives, geopolitics"
2. Russia doesn’t want negotiations, but tries to avoid responsibility. This is obvious, so we are moving to the Tribunal.— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) December 25, 2022
"Russia single-handedly attacked Ukraine and is killing citizens. "Russia doesn’t want negotiations, but tries to avoid responsibility," Podolyak tweeted.
This Christmas, Russian soldiers mercilessly attacked the city of Kherson, which had been liberated by Ukrainian forces last month, leaving at least 10 dead and countless wounded.
Zelenski warned that Russia would attack with force
Recently during his trip to the United States, the Ukrainian president said on a visit to Washington DC that during the Christmas holidays, the enemy would attack with more force.
"There are only a few days left this year. We must be aware that our enemy will try to make this time dark and difficult for us," he said.
"Russia lost everything it could this year. But it is trying to compensate for its losses with the gloating of its propagandists after the missile strikes at our country, at our energy sector," he said.
Following the Ukrainian leader's trip, Putin accused the West of trying to dismantle Russia, especially after the U.S. Congress approved a $45 billion aid package.
"Actually, the fundamental thing here is the policy of our geopolitical opponents which is aimed at pulling apart Russia, historical Russia," Putin said.
