Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, stated on Tuesday that his nation could negotiate peace with Ukraine but declined to communicate with President Volodymyr Zelensky directly, calling him illegitimate.
In response, the Ukrainian leader claimed that Putin was utilizing deceptive tactics to extend the conflict, which has lasted for almost three years, and that he was terrified of negotiations.
Since taking office on January 20, U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly increased pressure on both parties to put an end to the conflict by saying that Zelensky is willing to negotiate a settlement and threatening to impose harsher sanctions on Russia.
“If (Zelensky) wants to participate in the negotiations, I will allocate people to take part.
“If there is a desire to negotiate and find a compromise, let anyone lead the negotiations there… Naturally, we will strive for what suits us, what corresponds to our interests,” Putin said, calling Zelensky illegitimate because his presidential term expired during martial law.
Zelensky claimed that the Kremlin chief was thwarting attempts to halt the violence and that there was an opportunity to bring about true peace.
“Today, Putin once again confirmed that he is afraid of negotiations, afraid of strong leaders, and does everything possible to prolong the war,” Zelensky wrote on X.
In the meantime, Kyiv has accused Putin of seeking to influence Trump and warned against being left out of any peace negotiations between Russia and the United States.
Putin further asserted that if the West stopped supporting Kyiv, the conflict would be over in two months or less.
Despite Trump’s pledge to implement a swift ceasefire as soon as he takes office, the violence has not shown any indications of de-escalating.
While Kyiv’s military claimed Moscow had launched its own overnight drone attack, Russia claimed Wednesday it had destroyed over 100 Ukrainian drones in an overnight attack.
The Russian army announced on Tuesday that it had taken control of a sizable village in the northeastern Kharkiv region of Ukraine, marking the most recent territorial advance for Moscow’s advancing soldiers.
