African leaders meet with Putin in Russia after Ukraine trip, urge end to war
PBS NewsHourAUG 2023
Putin Shows 'Signed Peace Agreement' with Ukraine
Image copyright: Пресс-служба Президента России [via Wikimedia Commons]
The Spin
Pro-Russia narrative
As Putin said, Russia was never opposed to holding negotiations. Such talks, mediated by Turkey, were in fact held in the spring of last year. But after Ukraine signed a peace agreement and then, after Western pressure, turned around and threw it away, why should Russia again trust Ukraine?
Pro-establishment narrative
Ukraine is a sovereign country that makes all its own decisions. The idea that Boris Johnson forced Ukraine's hand in how to proceed in peace negotiations is insane. He simply warned that the country that's already invaded Ukraine's borders can't be trusted on peace talks — much like trying to negotiate with a crocodile that's got your leg.