President Vladimir Putin stated Saturday that Russia cannot start a ceasefire when Ukraine is conducting a massive assault.
"There are things that are difficult to implement or unrealizable. For example, one of the clauses calls for a ceasefire," President Putin commented on the African initiative for peace in Ukraine which was presented to him during the two-day Russian-African Summit which concluded today in Saint Petersburg.
"But the Ukrainian army is advancing, they are attacking, as they say, they are implementing a large-scale strategic offensive," President argued.
He went on to wonder:" Why asking us for a ceasefire? We cannot stop the fire when they are advancing towards us".
The Russian leader affirmed that the African initiative for peace in Ukraine could be a good basis for a peaceful settlement to the conflict.
"The African initiative, in my opinion, can be a basis for some processes aimed at searching for peace, like others, for example, the Chinese peace initiative," he said.
President Putin pointed out that the attending African leaders were sincere in their search for a solution to the conflict in Ukraine.
"The conversation about the African peace initiative ... was a real search for some ways, some opportunities in order to defuse the situation," he said, noting that this conversation lasted for more than two hours. The Russian leader affirmed that some provisions of the African peace initiative were being implemented, including the prisoner swap.
"One of these points is the exchange of prisoners, detainees, the solution of family and humanitarian issues related to children," he said. On the battlefield developments, President Putin said there were no major changes in the special operations zone.
"There are no serious changes, and I think this is due to the fact that the enemy has withdrawn its assault units to places where they are restoring combat capability. They have suffered heavy losses both in terms of personnel and equipment," he unveiled.
The Russian President warned that if Polish forces entered into Ukraine, it would be the beginning of Poland's seizure of Western Ukraine lands.
"If this happens, it will be the start of tearing away the western territories of Ukraine in favor of Poland.
"These plans never have never left the thoughts of Polish elites," he cautioned.
On the implications of the dangerous air approaches between the US and Russia aircraft in Syria, Putin said that Russia does not want a direct military clash with the US, but Russia is ready for any scenario.
"On the initiative of the American side, we once created a special mechanism to prevent these conflicts. Our heads of certain departments communicate directly with each other, and have the opportunity to consult on any crisis solution. This shows that no one wants clashes," he said.
Source: Kuwait News Agency