Russia distrusts US: Source explains Abramovich's visit to Kyiv
Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich (photo: Getty Images)
The visit of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich to Kyiv was initiated by Russia's leadership, an informed source reported to RBC-Ukraine.
Russians sent Abramovich to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy so he could directly learn Ukraine's stance and relay it back to Moscow.
"They seem to have doubts that some partners are telling them and us the same things, including the Americans. So it was stated that they wanted to hear our position directly," the source explained.
When Abramovich met with Zelenskyy, he was given an explanation of how Ukraine sees the end of the war, the source told RBC-Ukraine. The best path is a personal meeting between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"As we can see, both the informal and formal proposals received the same response — Putin wants to continue the war. We have no problem using any channels that might work. But Putin wants to fight — and that's it," the source concluded.
Letter to Putin, Abramovich's visit
Last week, Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote an open letter to Putin proposing a face-to-face meeting to discuss ending the war.
In response to the letter, Putin claimed that Ukrainian authorities had recently invited a Russian oligarch to receive a message. He did not name the oligarch, but the media later identified him as Roman Abramovich.
The Ukrainian president confirmed the meeting with Abramovich in his interview with Sky News, adding that the businessman arrived on Russia's initiative and delivered a message from Putin.
According to Zelenskyy, Abramovich also relayed a key message back to Moscow: Ukraine will not give up Donbas. At the same time, in his Sky News interview, the president outlined the "quickest way" to peace with Russia.
