Ankara: Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Sunday that Moscow has received a proposal to confine military operations to four key regions in Ukraine: Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk. This development marks a potential shift in the dynamics of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

According to Anadolu Agency, during an interview with the state media outlet Vesti, Putin disclosed that negotiations are actively ongoing, and new proposals have been introduced in discussions over the conflict in Ukraine. The proposal includes a call for both Russia and Ukraine to cease long-range military strikes deep into each other's territories.

Putin emphasized that Russia's retaliatory strikes within Ukraine are significantly impactful and sensitive. He indicated that Russia remains vigilant against potential diversionary attacks by Ukrainian forces, which may aim to divert attention and resources from the strategic objective of liberating the Donbas and Novorossiya regions.

In his remarks, Putin warned that Ukraine would face consequences for its incursions into Russia's Kursk region, suggesting that Ukraine might lose territory needed by Moscow to establish a security buffer zone. He also mentioned previous discussions with the United States about ending the conflict, though no agreements were reached at a summit in Anchorage.

Putin expressed Russia's readiness to continue negotiations once the conflict's "hot phase" concludes, and highlighted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's willingness to assist in the negotiation process. He also addressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's warnings to Lukashenko regarding signal relay stations in Belarus, noting that Lukashenko remains calm and measured in his response.

This development underscores the complex geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe and the ongoing efforts to find a resolution to the conflict.