Irina Nesterova14:18, 11.03.25

Western officials said the dictator deliberately made “maximalist” demands ahead of the talks because he knew they would be unacceptable to Ukrainians and Europeans.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has deliberately made demands that are unacceptable to Ukrainians because he is not going to compromise in any way, complicating US President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker a peace deal, Bloomberg reported , citing Western officials.

“Western officials said Russian President Vladimir Putin has no intention of compromising on territory, peacekeepers or Ukraine’s neutrality in any peace talks, complicating President Donald Trump’s efforts to reach a lasting settlement,” the newspaper writes.

It is noted that Putin has put forward deliberately “maximalist” demands on the eve of the negotiations, and he knows that they are unacceptable for Ukrainians and Europeans. Meanwhile, the Russian dictator, the publication’s sources say, is ready to continue the fight.

The publication notes that such an assessment of Putin’s intentions “calls into question whether he is serious about negotiating a realistic and lasting peace settlement with Ukraine.”

“It also contradicts Trump’s views expressed at the White House on Friday, when he told reporters he believed Putin wanted peace,” the article says.

The publication also quotes Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who stated that such an assessment of Russia’s position by Western officials “does not correspond to reality.”

“Russia is open to peaceful efforts, to a peaceful settlement around Ukraine, and we actually prefer to achieve our goals through peaceful and diplomatic means,” Peskov said, adding, “if today and tomorrow it is shown that Ukraine is ready for negotiations, it will be a different story.”

(C)UNIAN 2025