Putin and Zellinski exchange accusations on peace negotiations in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his country is ready to negotiate to end the conflict in Ukraine, but he ruled out the talk directly with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodimir Zellinski, who said it was “illegal.”

The Ukrainian President replied by saying that Putin “fears” negotiations, and uses “malicious tricks” to prolong the war that has been going on about 3 years ago.

US President Donald Trump exerts pressure on both sides to put an end to the conflict that has been going on for about 3 years in Ukraine, and last week it revealed that Zellinski wanted to negotiate a deal to stop the fighting.

Desire to negotiate and find a settlement

“If Zellinski wants to participate in the negotiations, I will choose people to participate in,” Putin said. Describing Zellinski as “illegal” because his presidential term passed through the martial law imposed.

And the Russian president continued: “If there is a desire to negotiate and find a settlement, to let any of the negotiations there, of course, we will strive to achieve what suits us, and what is compatible with our interests.”

An opportunity to achieve real peace

Zelinski noted that there is an opportunity to achieve a “real peace”, but the Kremlin leader frustrates the fighting efforts.

He added: “Today, Putin once again confirmed that he fears negotiations and fears the powerful leaders, and does everything in his power to prolong the war.”

Kiev warned against excluding her from any peace talks between Russia and the United States, accusing Putin of the desire to manipulate Trump.

Stop Western support for Kiev

Putin said that the conflict could end in two months or less if the West stopped supporting Kiev.

“They will not hold a month if money or ammunition is in general, everything will end in a month and a half or two months,” said Putin’s statement to a journalist on Russian television.

There are no indications that the escalation of the conflict is contained despite Trump’s pledge to reach a quick truce when he took over the American presidency.

Kiev warns that she is excluded from any peace talks, accusing Putin of trying to “manipulate” Trump.