Russian President Vladimir Putin vows 'immediate' ceasefire if Volodymyr Zelensky-led Ukraine decides to…

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Ukraine an ‘immediate’ truce under certain conditions on Friday. The remarks came even as Kyiv fought ‘intense’ battles in the Donetsk region and President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with world leaders at the G7 Summit. Ukraine has already dismissed the truce conditions as ‘absurd’ while the US and NATO insisted that Putin was ‘not in any position to dictate’ peace terms.

“As soon as they declare in Kyiv that they are ready for such a decision and begin the real withdrawal of troops from these regions, and also officially notify about the abandonment of plans to join NATO, our side will immediately, literally at the same minute, follow the order to cease fire and start negotiations,” the Russian leader claimed.

The Ukrainian government led by Zelensky has so far refused to negotiate with Russia until the Kremlin leaves the occupied territories. Kyiv insists that Moscow will re-group and attack Ukraine again if the current war is frozen. Putin's statement comes on the eve of a Swiss-hosted peace conference aimed at promoting Ukrainian demands for a Russian withdrawal from its territory.

ALSO READ: Modi hails ’productive’ meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky on sidelines of G7 Summit — What did they discuss?

Meanwhile President Volodymyr Zelensky — currently in Italy for the G7 Summit — claimed that the ceasefire offer could not be trusted. The actor-turned-politician told Italian news channel SkyTG24 that Putin “would not stop” and drew a parallel with German dictator Adolf Hitler. 

"These are ultimatum messages that are no different from messages from the past. He will not stop…It is the same thing that Hitler used to do (...) This is why we should not trust these messages," Zelensky opined.

Russia had earlier dismissed the G7 gathering as a ‘waste of time’ after failing to secure an invite.

(With inputs from agencies)