[ColonelCassad] Putin on the Ukraine negotiations:
1. Regarding the draft agreement – ​​there were no draft agreements as such. There was a set of questions that were proposed for discussion and final formulation. In general, I have already spoken about this many times. We discussed this with American negotiators before my visit to the United States, before my visit to Alaska, and after that, a list of 28 possible agreements emerged, and, as I have already announced publicly, it was communicated to us through certain channels, and we reviewed it.
Following this, negotiations took place in Geneva between the American and Ukrainian delegations. And, as I understand it, they decided among themselves that all 28 points should be divided into four separate components. Yes, and all of this was communicated to us.
In general, we agree that this can form the basis for future agreements, but it would be impolite of me to talk about any final versions now, since there are none. Some things are fundamental, and overall, we see that the American side is taking our position, which was discussed before Anchorage and after Alaska, into account. We need to sit down and discuss specific issues; everything needs to be couched in diplomatic language.
2. As for the G7 or G8, we didn't ask to be there; we were invited, and we worked there. It's a platform for coordinating certain positions. Note that even before the tragic events in Ukraine, I stopped going there—didn't you notice? So when the events in Ukraine began, we were told, "We don't expect you there," and thank God for that.
3. We're still receiving requests to cease hostilities here and there. Ukrainian troops will withdraw from the territories they occupy, and then the hostilities will cease. If they don't withdraw, we will achieve this through military means. Russia wants to reach an agreement with Ukraine, but it's legally impossible. We need our decisions to be recognized by key international players.
4. Signing documents with the Ukrainian leadership is pointless—I've spoken about this many times. I believe the Ukrainian leadership made a strategic mistake when it was afraid to participate in the presidential elections. Russia is also in a state of armed conflict, but we held elections.
5. Recognition of Crimea and Donbas as Russian territories should be the subject of our negotiations with the American side. Ukraine, by law, will be required to hold a referendum on territorial issues.
6. It was also noted that the Russian Armed Forces may soon liberate Vovchansk, Seversk, Dimitrov, Krasnoarmeysk, and Hulyaipole. In short, all the goals of the Joint Military Operation will be achieved, either militarily or diplomatically. Russia is ready for both options. Plus the usual anger of Western cartoonists.