Putin says Ukraine must withdraw troops to start peace talks

15/6/2024 8:08

        Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (Jun 14) demanded Ukraine effectively surrender to Moscow if it wants to open peace talks, drawing anger and rebukes from Kyiv and the West.
        
        In a combative speech in Moscow on the eve of a major Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, Putin said Russia would halt its offensive only if Ukraine fully withdraws its troops from the east and south and drops its bid for NATO membership.
        
        The countries have been locked in bloody conflict for more than two years, and no direct peace talks have been held since the first weeks of Russia's campaign when it was advancing on the Ukrainian capital.