Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin claimed on the evening of 21 November that Russia is ready to "show flexibility" regarding a peace settlement in Ukraine, but is also satisfied with the "dynamics of the special military operation" [as the Russians refer to their unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine – ed.].

Source: an address by Putin at a meeting of the Russian Security Council

Details: Putin claimed that the current 28-point plan has been "upgraded" since the Alaska summit. The Russians have the text of the plan, but it "has not yet been discussed with Russia in detail". Putin believes this is because "the United States has been unable to secure Ukraine's consent".

He said Washington has asked Moscow to be flexible with Kyiv.

Putin also claimed that negotiations have been effectively put on hold since the Alaska summit because Ukraine refused to accept the terms of the proposed agreement.

He went on to assert that Russian forces have fully captured the city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast – a claim that has been denied by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Background:

• On the night of 20-21 November, Axios published the full list of points in the new US "peace plan" presented to Ukraine. It envisages multiple concessions to Russia.
• It was reported earlier that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may hold talks with his US counterpart Donald Trump about the "peace plan" next week.
• A group of European leaders is reportedly working on an alternative peace plan that offers terms that are fairer for Ukraine.
• Reuters reported, citing sources, that US officials have threatened to stop supplying weapons and intelligence to Ukraine in order to secure Kyiv's agreement to the US "peace plan".
• On 21 November, Zelenskyy addressed the Ukrainian people and said Ukraine now faces a difficult choice: it risks losing either its dignity or its key partner.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon !