Russian President Vladimir Putin stated the reason for the Ukrainian authorities' reluctance to sit down at the negotiating table.
The head of the Russian state spoke on this topic on October 24 at a press conference following the BRICS summit.
Putin's statement is quoted by TASS .
The Russian president said that Kyiv does not want to negotiate because ending the conflict would entail lifting martial law.
And immediately after this, presidential elections must be held, the head of the Russian state added.
According to him, Russia is ready to consider any options for peace agreements, but we need to proceed from the realities on the ground.
The Russian president noted that he had recently received new proposals for negotiations through his Turkish partners and gave his consent.
The very next day, Putin continued, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that he would not conduct any negotiations.
We told the Turks: guys, thank you, of course, but first sort it out with your clients – whether they want it or not, the Russian president said.