Putin: "Ukraine's neutral status" is of fundamental importance to Russia

During a meeting with African leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Ukraine's "neutral status" is of fundamental importance to Russia.

Source: Putin, as quoted by the Russian media outlet RBC

Details: The Kremlin leader also said that Russia is supposedly ready to seek a peaceful settlement of the war and has never refused to negotiate.

Putin added that "the African mission's approach to Ukraine echoes the Chinese peace plan".

Background: 

• In June, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa named 10 main "components" of the African Union's position on the Russian-Ukrainian war.
• In response to this, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that peace talks with Russia are possible only after the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from the occupied territories.

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