Zelensky: Putin is Afraid to Come to Negotiations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated today that a personal meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin would not solve all issues, but it could represent a political victory in terms of finding a formula to move closer to peace.
"If I meet with Putin, it should result in a political victory – a ceasefire or an exchange of prisoners based on the all-for-all principle. And if he does not come, it means he does not want a political victory for either side," said Zelensky.
He did not completely rule out the possibility that Putin might still come to Turkey this week.
"First of all, I don't really believe that Putin is capable of meeting in person. I think he is afraid. And if he feels a strong blow to his economy and to the Russians, then, in my opinion, there is still a possibility that he will come," Zelensky told "Spiegel".
He noted that he would prefer to hold a meeting in Ankara, which he also told the Turkish president in a phone conversation.
"But if Putin decides to come to Istanbul, I will be ready to welcome him there. Such a meeting is necessary to find a format that would bring the end of the war closer," emphasized the Ukrainian leader.
Speaking about the position of the American side and the allegedly greater pressure on Kyiv than on Moscow, Zelensky stressed that U.S. President Donald Trump "needs to be convinced that Putin is lying."
"He needs to be shown that it is not the Ukrainians who are slowing down these processes," said the Ukrainian president, expressing hope that the U.S. will introduce a new "very dangerous for Russia" package of strong sanctions.
Zelensky assessed that Washington is ready for such a step.
When asked about Trump's chief negotiator Steve Witkoff, Zelensky said that he had never spoken with him, not even on the phone.
"It seems to me that something has not worked out with Witkoff," observed the Ukrainian leader, noting that he has invited all security advisers to Kyiv.
