Zelensky: negotiating with Kremlin led by Putin "makes no sense" for Ukraine
Photo: RBK-Ukraine/ Vitaliy Nosach
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, stated that it is impossible to come to an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his entourage. Therefore, there is no point in negotiating with them.
He said this in an interview with The Washington Post.
"Look, we've dealt with different Putins. It is a completely different set of traits in different periods. Putin is not alone; Putin has an entourage. They made appropriate decisions. In 2019, their collective body — the Kremlin headed by Putin — said, "Yes, maybe we will find a diplomatic solution." I really wanted it. In 2020 or 2021, this entire collective mind still invented something in their heads, but did not go to dialogue with us and did not do all that we agreed with them in 2019," Zelensky said.
According to him, it cannot be said that Putin himself started a full-scale war against Ukraine; his entourage is also responsible for it.
"They [Putin's entourage – ed.] bear a great collective responsibility for this. And that's why I'm just not ready to talk to him. I'm not ready to talk to this team. Not because someone is stubborn but because they chose the way to destroy Ukraine — a full-scale war. Therefore, we cannot release anyone from responsibility. There is a collective, and it is responsible for the war of aggression — a full-scale, well-thought-out war with the desire to destroy all living beings," Zelensky said.
He emphasized that Putin and his entourage assured not only Ukraine but also all leaders that there would be no invasion.
"They promised – and not only to Ukraine but to all leaders – that they would not invade. That is, we are dealing with people with whom, on the one hand, it is impossible to come to an agreement because they will not fulfill it. Does not make sense. And on the other hand, these same people are murderers and terrorists, so you can't just give in to their demands. This was the case at the beginning of the war when we were given ultimatums. That's all. I believe it makes no sense for Ukraine to negotiate with this group called "Putin," the President said.
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