STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
Ten months into Russia's war with Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin says he wants to negotiate an end to the conflict. Or does he? The statement came as air raid sirens were reported across Ukraine. And in the Ukrainian city of Kherson, at least 10 people were reported dead from a rocket attack on a market on Saturday. NPR's Charles Maynes is covering the story from Moscow. Hey there, Charles.
CHARLES MAYNES, BYLINE: Morning.
INSKEEP: Let's listen to the words. What exactly did Putin say and how did he say it?
MAYNES: Yeah, well, context here, of course, is important. You know, Russia has repeatedly said it's open to negotiations. The catch? It's provided they're on Russia's terms. And that really was at the core of Putin's message in an interview on state television Sunday. Let's listen.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN: (Non-English language spoken).
MAYNES: So here, Putin says he's ready to discuss some acceptable outcomes in Ukraine but insists that it's Kyiv and the West who refuse to negotiate. And again, more context - Putin's argument for a while now has been that the fighting would have ended - on Russia's terms - if it weren't for Western military aid to Ukraine. Putin went on to say the West was trying to tear apart historical Russia, which, in his mind, includes Ukraine, and that Russia had no choice but to defend its citizens. So certainly, he's coming at this with his own unique perspective.
INSKEEP:...
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