At a press conference on the West's support for Ukraine on May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin said: "They (the West) promised to support and then began to promote a confrontation with Russia, which continues to this day. I think this issue is coming to an end, but this is a serious issue.
Mr. Putin said that he will only meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after reaching a long-term peace agreement.
A meeting in a third country may also take place, but only after final agreements on a long-term, historically significant peace treaty are finalized, to participate in this event and sign it. But that must be the final step," he added.
The Russian leader said he had heard information that President Zelensky was ready to hold a direct meeting, but noted: "This is not the first time we have heard such statements.
Mr. Putin also affirmed his willingness to negotiate new security agreements for Europe and his priority negotiating partner is former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder.
According to the ceasefire agreement led by the US reached last weekend, Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from each side. However, on May 9, Mr. Putin informed that Russia had not yet received a response from Ukraine regarding any exchanges.
