Putin has said repeatedly that he is prepared to negotiate an end to the war, which first began in 2014, but that Ukraine would have to accept the reality of Russian territorial gains, which are currently about 20% of its land. He also refuses to accept Ukraine joining Nato, the military alliance of Western countries.

The war in Ukraine began with an invasion by Russia in February 2022. More than 240,000 soldiers have been killed on both sides, according to Ukraine.