Zelensky Open to Negotiations with Putin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his willingness to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring an end to the ongoing conflict. Speaking at the Yalta European Strategy Conference in Kiev, he emphasized the need for dialogue, even in uncomfortable situations.
“Sometimes it’s necessary, even if we don’t love our faces,” Zelensky joked during an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, which aired on Sunday.
He noted that achieving peace should start with a ceasefire. “The first point is to establish a ceasefire, but he’s not ready for that meeting today. That’s a fact,” he said. Despite the obstacles, Zelensky indicated readiness to discuss territory and historical matters if Putin is open to it.
Interestingly, former President Trump mentioned he had initiated arrangements for a meeting between the two leaders, following a call with Putin. This conversation occurred on the same day Trump hosted Zelensky and European leaders at the White House, shortly after his meeting with Putin in Alaska.
Since Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Zelensky and Putin have not met face-to-face. Recently, Zelensky remarked that Putin’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire complicated the pursuit of a peace deal, a sentiment echoed during discussions with European leaders in Washington. Trump commented that a ceasefire was not a prerequisite for a meeting between Zelensky and Putin.
Zelensky’s remarks came shortly after NATO jets downed several Russian drones over Polish airspace, as reported by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted oil refineries in Russia’s Leningrad region, escalating tensions further.
The Russian military currently occupies parts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporozhzhia, and Kherson regions, having also seized Crimea back in 2014. When asked if he would consider territorial concessions, Zelensky pointed out that it’s not a current priority for him. “There’s a sequence of points for discussion. Ceasefire first, and he’s not prepared to meet today,” he reiterated.
