Putin tells Arabic-speaking viewers about "better fate" for Ukraine

In an interview with Sky News Arabia, vladimir putin outlined the conditions he believes must be met to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the military conflict in Ukraine and end of russian aggression. These include Kyiv's agreement to neutral status, refusal to participate in "all foreign alliances," renunciation of its desire to possess nuclear weapons, and recognition of the results of "referendums" held by russia in occupied Ukrainian territories.

Putin stressed that Moscow insists on recognizing these "referendums" and warned that ignoring them "means the likelihood of a renewed armed conflict." He also said that russia was allegedly close to reaching an agreement with Ukraine during talks in Istanbul in 2022.

"I hope that the current Ukrainian leadership will follow national interests, not the interests of third parties," he added, accusing the West of unwillingness to end the war and using Ukraine "as a tool against russia."

"Ukraine deserves a better fate than to be a tool in the hands of external parties acting against russia," putin said.

Earlier, vladimir putin again called Ukrainians and russians "one people," and Ukraine itself "ours." At the same time, despite regular missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian territory, he claimed that russia does not seek Kyiv's surrender. Moscow, he said, only demands "recognition of the realities on the ground."