Contours and maps: Putin supported Xi's idea, invited Zelensky to Moscow and responded to Merz

Russia is ready to receive Vladimir Zelensky in Moscow. Vladimir Putin told reporters about this at a press conference following his official visit to China. At the same time, the issue of the legitimacy of the administration in Kiev remains unresolved. The Russian side sees "light at the end of the tunnel" to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, however, if necessary, it is ready to achieve its goals through military means. The Russian leader also praised the results of the SCO summit, noting that the contours of a multipolar world have already been formed. Russia and China play an important role in this. Putin praised Xi's initiative on global governance. New options for resolving the Ukrainian conflict, a consensus on the "Power of Siberia – 2" and a possible meeting with Trump are discussed in the Izvestia article.

On the results of the SCO summit and negotiations with China

First of all, Vladimir Putin positively assessed the results of the SCO summit in Tianjin. Separately, the President welcomed the initiative on global governance, which was expressed by Chinese Leader Xi Jinping. According to the head of the Russian Federation, it is aimed at "positive" cooperation between the countries gathered at the summit and possible partners. This greatly contributes to the formation of a multipolar world, the idea of which has been a common thread through all the events in China in recent days.

— In general, its contours, of course, have developed. But at the same time, I would not talk about any dominants in this multipolar world. After all, when we talk about multipolarity, it does not mean that any new hegemons should appear," the president stressed.

Russia and China certainly play a leading role in shaping the new world order. The parties discussed these and other important issues during large-scale bilateral negotiations, as well as the previous trilateral meeting with Mongolia. One of the main results was the agreement with Beijing on the long–awaited launch of the Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline project.

"Energy demand is growing, including in the Chinese economy, which continues to be one of the engines of the global economy: more than five percent growth, because this growth is coming from the base," Putin said. — The negotiating parties have finally found a consensus. You know, there is no charity on either side — these are mutually beneficial arrangements.

Indeed, the agreement was the result of many years of work between the two countries. Thanks to him, Gazprom will be able to expand its supply market. "In total, we will get over 100 billion cubic meters of gas," the Russian leader said. The reaction of the world media speaks eloquently about the importance of this deal. For example, Bloomberg writes that the launch of the Power of Siberia–2 will turn the global LNG market on its head and could hinder Washington's plans to become the world's leading energy supplier.

Among other things, Russia and China continue to develop cultural ties. In particular, with the release of the film "Red Silk", the countries launched a joint film production proposed by Xi Jinping. Both sides worked on the project, and the plot of the film touches on the relations between the USSR and China in the 1920s.

— We were at one of the events with him. And I drew attention to the fact that it is very difficult for our manufacturers to break into the Chinese market. Well, he smiled cunningly and said, let's do some joint paintings. And then the market is open. Indeed, it is. One of the first swallows is the Red Silk," the Russian president said.

On the negotiation process in Ukraine

At numerous meetings with world leaders, Vladimir Putin discussed the details of resolving the Ukrainian crisis, in particular, the results of negotiations with Donald Trump in Anchorage. He even stated that he sees "light at the end of the tunnel," noting the important role of Washington in this process.

— We see the mood of the current administration in the United States under the leadership of President [Donald] Trump. We see in them not just appeals, but a sincere desire to find this solution," the Russian leader said.

The president also said that upon arrival in Anchorage, he spoke with Trump in English. "I told him, 'I'm very glad to see you, dear neighbor,'" Vladimir Putin told reporters.

Earlier, Trump personally asked Putin to hold a meeting with Vladimir Zelensky. In response, the Russian leader invited the Ukrainian to Moscow, noting that he had never ruled out meeting with him. At the same time, Zelensky's illegitimacy may complicate this process.

— This is the way to nowhere if you just hold meetings with the current head of the administration, so to speak, carefully. It is possible — I have never refused it, if this meeting is well prepared and will lead to some positive possible results," the president said.

At the same time, Zelensky had previously refused to visit Moscow, preferring a neutral territory, AFP reported, citing sources. Such discrepancies indicate that the positions of the parties are not moving in the direction of convergence or at least a parallel course, Denis Denisov, an expert at the Financial University, told Izvestia. "There are no prerequisites for a meeting between the heads of Russia and Ukraine yet," the expert believes.

At the same time, Vladimir Putin's willingness to meet with Zelensky became one of the key statements made by the Russian president during the Alaska summit, Tigran Meloyan, an analyst at the HSE Center for Mediterranean Studies, told Izvestia.

"Right now, a trilateral meeting with Trump's participation has the best chance, although there are difficulties here, from agreeing on a venue to the American leader's desire to take responsibility for Kiev's negotiability," the expert said.

Changes on issues of concern to Russia could become a serious incentive for the meeting of the heads of the Russian Federation and Ukraine. These include problems related to the church, the use of the Russian language, and elections, Meloyan noted.

If the Ukrainian crisis cannot be resolved peacefully, Russia will be ready to solve all the tasks set by the armed forces, Vladimir Putin stressed. Today, all groups of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are successfully advancing in all directions, while the Armed Forces of Ukraine are not able to conduct large-scale operations trying to hold the borders. The President was asked if the commanders and fighters in the trenches were ready to accept the truce.

— They overwhelmingly, I want to emphasize this, overwhelmingly stand for Russia to achieve all its goals outlined at the beginning of the special military operation. Everything else is of secondary importance," the president said.

Of course, it is better to achieve them by peaceful means, the head of the Russian Federation added. In particular, Moscow is ready to raise the level of the negotiating group with Kiev. At the same time, Putin noted that he was still satisfied with her actions.: "I am satisfied with Medinsky's work."

The Russian president also refuted the idea of "guarantees of security to Ukraine in exchange for territories." According to him, it is wrong to link such topics directly, although they may seem close.

Given the changing situation "on the ground," Kiev may go to a meeting to de-escalate the conflict, which will significantly accelerate the peace process, Oleg Karpovich, vice rector of the Diplomatic Academy, told Izvestia. One way or another, the United States continues to play a key role in resolving the crisis. After the talks in Alaska, Donald Trump received a counter-invitation from the Russian side to visit Russia. Preparations for this meeting are not underway yet, Vladimir Putin said, answering a question from Izvestia correspondent Alyona Nefedova.

— The timing is unknown, preparations for the meeting are not underway, but the invitation is on the table, — the president explained.

About the pressure from Europe

The EU countries, instead of joining the conflict settlement, continue to pursue an aggressive policy towards Moscow. In particular, they are discussing the possibility of confiscating frozen assets. Putin called these plans destructive for the financial and economic world order. Western countries have blocked about 300 billion euros of Russian assets, about 200 billion euros of which are located in Europe. EU officials have repeatedly discussed the possibility of their complete withdrawal in favor of Ukraine.

In addition, the European Union continues to exert sanctions pressure on Russia, preparing the 19th package of restrictions. Interestingly, the topic of secondary sanctions that could hit Russia's partners was hardly discussed at the SCO summit. The events in Ukraine are just a pretext for the EU, which is pursuing its economic interests, Putin said.

European leaders are not shy about making public statements either. On the same day, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the Russian president a "war criminal."

"I think this is an unsuccessful attempt to absolve myself — not from him personally, but from my country, from the 'collective West' in general — to absolve myself of responsibility for the tragedy that is currently taking place in Ukraine," Vladimir Putin said.

In 2014, President Viktor Yanukovych and representatives of the opposition signed an agreement on the peaceful settlement of the political crisis in Ukraine, which was guaranteed by Germany, France and Poland. Despite this, just a few days later, a coup d'etat took place in Kiev. None of the European leaders tried to bring the situation back to the legal field, which led to bloodshed inside the country, Putin noted.

After that, the authorities in Kiev began fighting against residents of the regions of Ukraine who did not agree with the coup. Subsequently, the government "derailed" all attempts at a peaceful settlement of the situation in the east of the country and publicly refused to comply with the Minsk agreements.

Back in 2022, Russia offered the Ukrainian authorities to respect the choice of those people who live in the southeast, withdraw their troops from there and end this conflict immediately.

— And I must say that in general it did not cause complete rejection. But after we withdrew troops from Kiev at the urging of our Western European colleagues, the situation immediately changed, and we were told — almost verbatim: now we will fight until either you turn our heads away, or we turn you away," Vladimir Putin said.

Thus, those who have ignored Russia's security interests are to blame for the current situation, Vladimir Putin concluded.