Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with state television on Sunday that Moscow wants to negotiate, even as Ukrainian cities were hit with a missile barrage over the Christmas weekend.
“We are ready to negotiate with all concerned on acceptable solutions, but that depends on them, it is not us who refuse to negotiate, it is them,” Putin said.
The claim was rejected by Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said “Putin needs to come back to reality.”
“Russia single-handedly attacked Ukraine and is killing citizens. No other ‘countries, motives, geopolitics,'” Podolyak tweeted. “Russia does not want negotiations, but tries to avoid responsibility.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, attends the Victory Day military parade marking the 77th anniversary of the end of World War II in Moscow, Russia, Monday, May 9, 2022.
(Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin pool photo via AP)
Kherson, which was taken by Russia in the first days of the invasion but liberated by Ukrainian forces last month, was shelled on Christmas Eve, killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens.
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Other Ukrainian cities have also been affected by shelling in recent months, as well as the country’s energy infrastructure.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, arrives to speak during a joint meeting of Congress at the US Capitol on December 21, 2022.
(Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Zelenskyy, who addressed the US Congress on a visit to Washington DC this week, urged Ukrainians to pay attention to air warnings in the coming days.
“There are only a few days left this year. We must be aware that our enemy will try to make this time dark and difficult for us,” Zelenskyy said on Christmas Day. “Russia lost everything it could this year. But it is trying to make up for her losses with the gloating of its propagandists after the missile attacks on our country, on our energy sector.”
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Both houses of Congress approved a $45 billion aid package for Ukraine after Zelenskyy’s visit and sent the bill to President Biden’s desk.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared photos of a missile attack on Christmas Eve in the city of Kherson.
(President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
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Meanwhile, Putin accused the West on Sunday of trying to dismantle Russia.
“Actually, what is fundamental here is the policy of our geopolitical opponents that is aimed at separating Russia, historical Russia,” Putin said.
Reuters contributed to this report.
