RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Russia open to Ukraine talks based on June proposals, Putin tells Scholz

Russia is open to talks to settle the conflict in Ukraine based on the proposals that were announced at the Foreign Ministry in June, Russian President Vladimir Putin told German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as they spoke by phone, the Kremlin said.

"As for the prospects for a political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict, the Russian president noted that the Russian side has never refused and remains open to the resumption of the negotiations that were interrupted by the Kiev regime," the Kremlin said in a statement. "Russia's proposals are well known and outlined, in particular, in a June speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry."

Putin held a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry in June, where he listed the conditions for talks with Ukraine. They include the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, Ukraine’s commitment to adopt a non-aligned status, denazification and demilitarization of the country, and the lifting of all Western sanctions. The president insisted that all these conditions should be enshrined in fundamental international agreements.

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

G7 confirms pledge to impose severe costs on Russia for Ukraine war

Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies on Saturday reiterated a pledge to keep imposing severe costs on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, through sanctions, export controls and other measures, and vowed to support Kyiv for as long as it takes.

"Russia remains the sole obstacle to just and lasting peace," said a joint statement published on Saturday, adopted "in support of Kyiv as the thousandth day of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine approaches."

Italy holds the 2024 rotating presidency of the G7, which also includes the United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany and Britain.

"The G7 confirms its commitment to imposing severe costs on Russia through sanctions, export controls and other effective measures. We stand united with Ukraine," the statement added.