Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday stated his nation must persuade U.S. President Donald Trump that Vladimir Putin will not be a reliable companion as he urged the Russian president to point out up for peace negotiations in Turkey later this week.
“Trump must imagine that Putin really lies,” Zelenskyy informed a gaggle of reporters in Kyiv, according to The Guardian. “And we should always do our half. Sensibly strategy this difficulty, to point out that it’s not us that’s slowing down the method.”
Zelenskyy has referred to as on Putin to affix him for peace talks in Istanbul on Thursday. Whereas the Russian president has but to answer the invitation, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated a Russian delegation could be touring to the nation for talks with Kyiv however stated he would solely have the ability to share the names of these attending as soon as he acquired “an instruction to take action” from Putin, according to Reuters.
Zelenskyy has made clear he will be waiting for Putin, warning that his absence would ship a transparent message to all events concerned.
“If Putin doesn’t arrive and performs video games, it’s the last level that he doesn’t wish to finish the warfare,” Zelenskyy added.
Zelenskyy has stated he has no real interest in assembly a Russian delegation that doesn’t embody Putin, explaining that Putin is the one one who can decide to a ceasefire.
Whereas Trump is within the Center East this week, he has floated the possibility of flying over to Turkey if he feels the 2 sides are near reaching an settlement. Trump on Wednesday informed reporters that Putin “would love me to be there.”
“I don’t know that he could be there if I’m not there,” he added.
Zelenskyy famous {that a} dedication from Trump to affix him in Turkey would doubtless incentivize Putin to attend.
“It’s the scenario the place the U.S. being current may give necessary ensures,” he added, in response to The Guardian.
To this point, Trump has solely confirmed the attendance of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg are additionally anticipated to make the journey, Reuters reported.
Earlier on Tuesday, Kellogg told Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo that Trump can be in Turkey if Putin exhibits up.
“This might be a completely unbelievable assembly with them,” he stated. “We will get peace, I actually imagine, fairly quick if all three leaders sit down and discuss.”
In the meantime, European Union Excessive Consultant Kaja Kallas predicted the Putin-Zelenskyy assembly wouldn’t go forward.
“I don’t assume [Putin] dares, I suppose,” she added.
