Putin invents excuse to avoid talks with Ukraine - Ukraine reacts
Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that Kyiv has a ban on negotiations with Russia. Ukraine swiftly responded to his remarks, according to RIA Novosti and a statement by Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office.
Putin stated that his relationship with former US President Donald Trump was always "business and pragmatic." He also emphasized that the Kremlin has never refused to engage with the White House and views Trump's willingness to cooperate positively.
"Moscow notices Trump's statements about his readiness to work together, and is always open to it," Putin said.
The Russian leader used this as a pretext to accuse Ukraine of blocking talks, asserting that "the sponsors of the Kyiv regime" must force Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to "lift the ban on negotiations."
Ukraine’s reaction
Andriy Yermak responded by highlighting that Putin is now attempting to push for negotiations with the United States.
"But he has one condition: he wants to decide Europe's fate without Europe and discuss Ukraine without Ukraine. That won't happen. Putin needs to face reality himself, or he will be brought back to it," Yermak stressed.
The head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office added that the way Putin sees it does not work in the modern world.
Trump's statements on ending the war in Ukraine
On January 22, Trump published an appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Truth Social. He called for a “deal” to end the war in the near future and threatened Russia with tariffs and sanctions.
During a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump promised to work to reach a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. He also emphasized that he would like China to participate in the peace process.
In addition, the US President said he wants to meet with Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
