What's New
Russian President Vladimir Putin had an awkward exchange with a Chinese state media journalist during a recent Q&A session.
Putin stated that the February 2022 invasion should have been launched even earlier in response to a question about his refusal to pause the conflict, seeming to sidestep the question entirely.
Newsweek reached out to the Russian Foreign Ministry via a request for comment outside of office hours.
Why It Matters
Putin's remarks come 33 months into the conflict, underscoring his commitment to continuing the offensive. His justification for the invasion references Ukraine's alleged failure to honor the Minsk Agreement and hints at broader strategic calculations.
The question is notable because...
What To Know
During a press briefing on Thursday a reporter for the China Media Group asked Putin why he would not agree to a ceasefire.
Putin responded: "It is worth stopping for a week—to give the enemy a chance to gain a foothold on these positions, to give them a break, to get the necessary ammunition. What we need is not a ceasefire, but peace. Long-term, durable, with guarantees for Russia and its citizens."
When asked by Russian media agency RBC if he would reconsider his decision to start the war if he could go back to February 2022, Putin suggested that the invasion should have come sooner.
"The decision that was made at the beginning of 2022 should have been made earlier," Putin said. "Knowing this, it would be necessary to prepare earlier for these events, including the SMO," referring to the "special military operation," Putin's term for the invasion.
Putin justified the timing of the invasion by accusing Kyiv of refusing to comply with the Minsk Agreement and claiming Ukraine had made "some claims to weapons of mass destruction."
The 2015 Minsk Agreement aimed to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine by calling for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of heavy weapons, and autonomy for separatist regions. It was signed by both Kyiv and Moscow but never fully implemented.
What People Are Saying
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: When asked about the possibility of freezing hostilities, amid reports that President-elect Donald Trump's team is exploring negotiations, Zelensky told the French outlet Le Parisien that Trump "knows about my desire not to rush things at the expense of Ukraine."
What Happens Next
Both sides in the conflict have outlined preconditions for engaging in peace talks.
Ukraine demands a complete withdrawal of Russian forces from its territory, including Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. Kyiv also seeks reparations, accountability for Russian war crimes, and guarantees of its sovereignty before considering peace negotiations.
The Kremlin insists that Ukraine recognize the loss of its territories, specifically the Russian-occupied regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea. The Kremlin also requires Ukraine to abandon its pursuit of NATO membership.
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