The publication's Russia correspondent Ivor Bennett analyzed Putin's speech and explained who it was aimed at. He believes the Russian dictator was trying to present Russia as the side that wants peace and Ukraine as the side that is creating problems in the eyes of US President Donald Trump.

The purpose of this speech could be Putin's attempt to reduce Washington's pressure on Moscow and redirect it towards Kyiv, thus allowing the Russian dictator to obtain more concessions in potential peace talks with Ukraine.

"I think this was all part of the Kremlin leader's attempt to play nice with the US president to keep him on his side and avoid sanctions," Bennett said.

The publication recalled that at the SCO summit, Putin stated that Russia had supposedly"never opposed" Ukraine's accession to the EU. He also assured that Moscow was supposedly ready to cooperate with the US and even Ukraine on ensuring the security of the Zaporizhia NPP.

In addition, the Russian dictator acknowledged that “it is possible to find a consensus” on the issue of Ukraine's security guarantees. I. Bennett noted that every time V. Putin makes such statements, Russia continues to strike at Ukraine and disrupt the negotiation process.

Putin demands discussion on NATO expansion in connection with Ukraine peace deal

Earlier, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin stated at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit that sustainable peace in Ukraine depended on “solving the issue of NATO’s eastward expansion.” According to him, the West was allegedly trying to bring Ukraine into its orbit, and then Kyiv sought membership in the NATO military alliance, which is led by the United States.

Putin also reiterated that in order to resolve the issue of war, it is necessary to"eliminate the root causes of the crisis."