VLADIMIR Putin says he is ready to negotiate with Ukraine “tomorrow”, after the G7 pledged $50 billion to the war-torn country.
The Russian tyrant also promised to punish the West for pushing him to “a point of no return” as leaders signed new security pacts with Kiev.
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In fiery comments after the opening day of the annual G7 summit, Putin boasted that Moscow “possesses the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons” and blamed the West for the collapse of global security.
In a speech to the Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday, he said the world had “come unacceptably close to the point of no return.”
The furious despot accused Western leaders of “extreme recklessness” and stated that they do not know “the scale of the threat they are creating”.
In a veiled threat of nuclear war, Putin, 71, warned that they were heading towards a path of great “tragedy”.
His scathing remarks were quickly followed by the announcement that he was ready to “sit down at the negotiating table on Ukraine” as early as “tomorrow.”
However, its excessive conditions for doing so are that Kiev’s troops hand over the Ukrainian regions of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk.
He also demanded that Ukraine give up its plans to join NATO in order to turn a “tragic page in history.”
If Ukraine agreed to these conditions, Putin said Russia would approve a ceasefire and immediately begin negotiations.
It is a “concrete and real peace proposal,” Putin said.
“If Kiev and the Western capitals also refuse, as before, then in the end it is their business and their political and moral responsibility to continue the bloodshed.”
“We are not talking about freezing the conflict, but about putting a definitive end to it,” he added.
Its ceasefire terms came in response to new long-term security commitments from the Group of Seven major democracies, which includes the UK, US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.
However, the centerpiece of the opening day in Italy was an agreement to lock up sanctioned Russian assets until Moscow pays reparations for the invasion of Ukraine.
It paved the way for G7 leaders to announce a $50 billion loan leveraged by interest on more than $260 billion (£204 billion) in frozen Russian assets, much of it held in Europe.
The details of the provisional plan – which Putin today classified as “theft” and promised that he “would not go unpunished” – will be finalized in the coming weeks.
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What details do we know about the G7-Ukraine deal?
By Iona Cleave
On the opening day of the annual G7 summit, the focus remained on Ukrainian security as leaders pledged to support Kiev until the end – a pledge worth $50 billion.
World leaders agreed to lend billions to Ukraine, using profits from Russia’s frozen assets. But how will this work?
The money would be backed by profits made from around $260 billion in frozen Russian assets confiscated since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Most of the money – which still belongs to Russia but cannot be accessed by Moscow – is used in EU countries.
A French official said the loan could be “complemented” with European money or contributions from other countries.
The aggressive plan – the details of which are still being discussed on the sidelines – could see the money reach Ukraine by the end of 2024.
The aim of the deal is to ensure it can last for years regardless of who is in power in each G7 state – a nod to concerns that Donald Trump could be much less sympathetic to Kiev if he defeats Biden in the November election.
President Biden said the move was part of a “historic agreement.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said providing a loan through Russia’s assets “is a vital step in providing sustainable support to Ukraine to win this war.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. said he hoped the new commitment would “encourage Ukrainians to do whatever is necessary to defend their independence and sovereignty.”
SECURITY PACTS
For the second year in a row, President Voloydymr Zelensky participated in talks that proved immensely fruitful for the embattled leader.
On Thursday, Biden and Zelensky signed a 10-year security agreement that they jointly hailed as a message to Putin of unified opposition.
Zelensky said the deal shows the “credibility of American support for our Ukrainian independence.”
The pact aims to strengthen Ukraine’s defense against Russian invaders and bring Ukraine closer to NATO membership.
But timing is also key.
The aim is to commit future US administrations to supporting Ukraine, even if former President Donald Trump wins the November elections, US sources revealed.
“Our goal is to strengthen Ukraine’s credible long-term defense and deterrence capabilities,” Biden declared.
Zelensky also signed a 10-year security deal with Japan, with Tokyo promising to provide Kiev with $4.5 billion ($3.5 billion) this year – underlining its commitment to Ukraine.
The money is expected to reach Kiev by the end of the year.
US President Joe Biden and Zelensky also signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement on Thursday to remind Putin that “we will not back down.”
“You can’t wait for us. You can’t divide us,” Biden said.
Ukraine has been eager for new assistance to hold the line against Russia, which has recently made gains on the battlefield during a bloody war that has raged into its third year.
It comes as a NATO official warned that Moscow forces suffered “astronomical” losses during the opening weeks of the Kharkiv offensive.
“Russia probably suffered losses of almost 1,000 people per day in May, which is a pretty astronomical number,” the unnamed official told Pravda.
He added that Russia has failed to create a buffer zone despite Putin’s claims, and Russian-controlled territories are fragmented.
“Therefore, in the long term, Russia’s victories in this area will be limited,” the official added.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
