Russian President Vladimir Putin is no longer interested in his talks with Ukraine and diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict between the two countries, according to the Financial Times quoting people briefed on conversations with the leader.
The source noted that Putin is seriously considering reaching a peace agreement with Ukraine but he does not see that there is a prospect of a solution in this crisis.
Although Russia and Ukraine had agreed on a draft of their first talks in Instanbul in late March, talks stalled after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Putin of committing war crimes against civilians in the cities of Bucha and Mariupol.
According to the source, Putin said peace efforts were at a standstill and he was furious after Ukraine sank Moscow, the main ship of Russia's Black Sea fleet.
"After Moscow sank, Putin was opposed to signing anything, and he didn't look like a winner, because it was a shame," the source added.
This may not come as a surprise given that previously even Ukrainian officials and western countries have always doubted Putin’s commitment to their peace talks, suspecting that it was a way to spend more time in attacking Ukraine.
