Reuters. President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (November 12) told US envoys that Russia was proposing a joint Russian-Ukrainian humanitarian mission to the city of Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine.
Russian leader was speaking during a meeting in Kremlin with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner who arrived in Moscow after trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi involving Russia, Ukrainian and US delegations.
Putin said that the mission could be modelled on a similar initiative that allowed residents to leave the Russian-controlled town of Oleshky in south-eastern Ukraine at the end of last month and for aid to be brought in for those who chose to remain.
According to Putin, there are some 400 to 500 civilians still remaining in Kostiantynivka.
Russia needed 5 days to clear the area near Kostiantynivka of mines, Putin said.
The presence of any foreign troops on Ukrainian territory is absolutely unacceptable to Russian Federation, Putin said during the meeting.
“We've said from the very beginning that the presence of any foreign troops on Ukrainian territory is absolutely unacceptable to us. Because we believe it threatens the security of the Russian Federation," - Putin said.
He also added that Europe must finally decide whether they want peace or war in Ukraine.
"We would very much like you, dear gentlemen, and the American administration as a whole, to work with your European allies so that they can finally decide whether they want peace or war in Ukraine," - Putin said.
