Putin Is Open To Direct Talks With Kyiv Amid U.S. Threat To Abandon Negotiations
Forbes2 days ago
Rubio and Witkoff Pull Out of Ukraine Meeting After Zelenskyy Rejects US Plans
Above: Steve Witkoff, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East (L) and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R), in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Feb. 11, 2025. Image copyright: Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg/Contributor via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Ukraine narrative
Putin has shown with his broken pledges of a truce that Russia cannot be trusted. If the country can show that it is honestly prepared to agree to a full ceasefire, only then can bilateral talks go forward. It's on that sole condition that Ukraine is willing to engage.
Pro-Russia narrative
As stated by President Putin, Russia is prepared to engage in dialogue with Ukraine. But for that to take place, the nation must stop alleging falsities against Russia, and must remove its own legal obstacles for holding negotiations with Russia.