"It is possible to return to negotiations on Ukraine only based on today's realities in the "SMO" zone", Vladimir Putin said in a statement.

The Russian dictator is promoting the narrative that Russia is "for negotiations" and has not forbidden anyone to conduct them.

"Unlike the West", as war criminal Vladimir Putin's statement reads.

Self-proclaimed President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, during a meeting with Putin, stated that this year would allegedly determine "a lot about the situation in Ukraine".

• Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's plane arrives in Belarus on Thursday, May 23.
• On Friday, May 24, it was reported that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is allegedly ready to stop the war against Ukraine and start negotiations.