Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the current contacts between Russia and the United States, emphasizing that the Kremlin has no genuine desire to end the war against Ukraine. He stated this in an interview with the American television channel Newsmax.
This is reported by Київ24
Zelensky on the likelihood of ending the war and the role of the U.S.
In response to a question regarding the resumption of communication between Moscow and Washington, Zelensky described these talks as “a very warm conversation.” At the same time, he stressed that he does not intend to instruct President Donald Trump on how to conduct dialogue with Russia, but he is convinced that the Russian leader does not seek peace.
“I do not think I can tell President Trump how to conduct dialogue. He is the president elected by the United States of America; he can do what he wants. But my position has always been that these are bilateral relations, and I believe that Putin does not want to end the war. And ultimately, he will deceive Trump. The whole world will see it. He is that kind of person, and he is only ready for some steps toward de-escalation if he is under strong pressure.”
Zelensky noted that he is not informed about the content of the negotiations between Trump’s representatives and Putin, but he believes that discussing issues related to Ukraine without its participation is unfair. The President of Ukraine emphasized that without U.S. involvement in peace negotiations, it will be extremely difficult to stop the war. He also warned that limiting American aid would significantly weaken Ukraine’s diplomatic positions in negotiations with the Russians.
The true intentions of the Kremlin and security guarantees
The President emphasized that Putin is not interested in ending the war but is trying to show Trump a “positive” to avoid new sanctions. According to Zelensky, the Kremlin demonstrates the appearance of a constructive and diplomatic position, but this is merely an imitation that should not be relied upon.
Zelensky compared Russia’s aggression to an uncontrollable train, emphasizing that even if Putin is seated at the negotiating table, achieving complete peace will be challenging. He noted that in the event of a temporary cessation of hostilities, aggression may resume or change its target. The President stressed the need not only for a cessation of hostilities but also for the implementation of strong sanctions, the development of a clear plan to end the war, and security guarantees for Ukraine.
Earlier, Donald Trump stated that he is disappointed with the actions of both Ukraine and Russia and believes that a peace agreement could have already been reached.