Mikhail Kasyanov, Russia’s former prime minister, says President Vladimir Putin is not willing to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. In an interview with AFP conducted in Paris, Kasyanov argues that Putin understands he made an error when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, but will not publicly acknowledge it.
Kasyanov says Putin would persist with the course he has set rather than shift toward ending the conflict. He points to signals of mounting unease inside Russia, including worsening economic conditions and growing concern among both ordinary people and members of the political and elite circles.
The outlets frame the remarks similarly, emphasizing Kasyanov’s view that Putin’s reluctance to admit a “mistake” shapes his willingness to change strategy. The coverage does not present new independent evidence of negotiations; it focuses on Kasyanov’s assessment of Putin’s decision-making.
