The Ukrainian president said today that he wants to negotiate an unconditional 30 -day face -to -face ceasefire with him, because only the Russian leader could activate such a truce.
Accusing Putin of being “afraid” to meet him, Zelenski stressed that he expects “heavy sanctions” from the United States and the European Union if these talks do not take place, adding that if such a meeting is not held, it will show that Moscow is not ready for diplomacy.
The Ukrainian president stressed at a press conference in Kiev that because “completely everything in Russia” depends on Putin, the only way to secure a ceasefire and end of the war is. “We will do everything to take this meeting,” he said, adding that he would also do “everything” to achieve a ceasefire.
“To say that he is ready for a truce, then the way is paved to discuss all the parameters to end the war,” Zelenski said.
“Let’s not mention that he is afraid of direct conversations with me,” he said, adding that Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara for talks and would go to Constantinople if Putin is there.
He added that Ukraine invited US President Donald Trump to Thursday’s meeting, but has not yet confirmed his presence.
Trump offered yesterday to participate in possible talks while traveling to the area.
“I do not know what the US president has decided, but in any case, if he confirms his involvement, I think this would give Putin to come additional,” he said.
The Ukrainian leader also said that China had implied that it supports a 30 -day truce, which Zelenski says it was necessary before the realization of any peace talks.
