Zelenskyy warns: Russia’s conditions unrealistic, US should step in

Ukraine is ready for a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but if Russia is not prepared, a strong response from the United States is necessary, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a conversation with journalists.

“I immediately responded positively to a bilateral meeting. We are ready. But what if the Russians are not ready? The Europeans raised this issue. If the Russians are not ready, then we would like to see a strong reaction from the United States,” Zelenskyy emphasised, as per Caliber.Az.

He noted that the US believes Putin must first agree to meet bilaterally with the Ukrainian president before any trilateral summit with US President Donald Trump.

“He must agree, because if one side does not want to end this war, then America will react. We want this war to end, and we clearly demonstrate this. So now there must be a step from the Russian side,” Zelenskyy added.

Zelenskyy stressed that the meeting should take place in neutral Europe, a position supported by European leaders, because the war impacts both Ukraine and the European continent.

“There cannot be a meeting in Moscow,” he said.

Addressing the issue of territories, Zelenskyy said: “The question of territories is a question between a person who wants to occupy our territories and a person who, with his army and his people, defends his territories. In other words, it’s a question between Putin and me.”

He also criticised Russia’s demands as unrealistic:

“Putin wants to ‘sell us air’ — that he will not attack us, and in return, we must give up what we control. I think it’s just a reproach on his part, and he understands that this will not happen. Maybe he’s counting on it because he doesn’t want to end the war. He sets conditions in advance that we cannot accept.”

Zelenskyy further highlighted leverage over Russia and Moscow’s desire for a “victory” while ending the war:

“They imagined their own victory, I think — our withdrawal from Donbas. I think that is what they conceived as a victory, something they want to promote internally within their country.”

He concluded by noting that while Russia seeks to frame a favourable outcome, Ukraine continues to insist on defending its territories and achieving a genuine resolution.

By Tamilla Hasanova