Putin Speaks On Peace Talks & Kharkiv Offensive

Russian state media carrying comments from President Vladimir Putin regarding the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv oblast of Ukraine. Says that the Russian forces are moving near Kharkiv 'according to plan', while blaming Kyiv for the Russian army's offensive. Claims that there are 'no plans to capture Kharkiv so far', but that 'we're creating a buffer zone in the special military operation region.' Says that Russia has to create a 'sanitary zone' to stop attacks on the Belgorod oblast of Russia just across the border.

• Regarding the prospect of eventual talks w/Kyiv, Putin claims 'Russia was once again cheated with the Istanbul Agreements and troops withdrawal from Kyiv in 2022.' Adds that 'We never refused talks on Ukraine', and that Russia 'Will follow the Swizerland conference'. Here referring to the 15-16 June peace conference being hosted by Switzerland. Says he believe the Ukraine-backed event 'is designed to come up with an ultimatum for Russia'. Putin claims that Russia is 'ready to participate in peace negotiations, but Russia is not invited to the conference in Switzerland.'
• Putin says, not for the first time, that the Istanbul Agreements are a basis for negotiations on Ukraine, and that when it comes to it, Russia will need to sign any documents with Ukraine's 'legitimate authorities'.
• On his visit to China he says that he discussed the war in Ukraine with President Xi Jinping, who 'outlined his position'. Putin says 'China sincerely wants to resolve the crisis.' Putin says 'Russia is trying to understand who it can trust on Ukraine'. Says that he discussed French President Emmanuel Macron's proposed Olympic ceasefire idea with Xi.