Putin says Ukraine must remain neutral for there to be peace

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a plenary session as part of the 21st annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club titled 'Lasting peace on what basis? Common security and equal opportunities for development in the 21st century' in Sochi, Krasnodar region, Russia, 07 November 2024. MAXIM SHIPENKOV/Pool via REUTERS

SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Ukraine should remain neutral for there to be a chance for peace, adding that the borders of Ukraine should be in accordance with the wishes of the people living in Russian-claimed territory.

"If there is no neutrality, it is difficult to imagine the existence of any good-neighborly relations between Russia and Ukraine," Putin said.