Irish Examiner view: Caution over Putin’s offer of diplomacy

While we would like to be optimistic about the future, the recent past dictates that we remain staunchly cautious

Vladimir Putin in the Grand Palace at the Kremlin in Moscow. It may be more pertinent that Putin’s offer of direct talks follows the visit of China’s Xi Jinping to Moscow, given that China has been an essential economic lifeline for Russia in the face of Western sanctions. Picture: Pavel Bednyakov/AP

We would like to be able to warmly welcome Vladimir Putin’s offer of direct diplomacy with Ukraine. We would like to consider it with a hint of optimism.

But in many ways, it feels like we’ve been down this road before, and Putin’s bone fides will always be questioned, especially after the bloodbath of the last three years.