Zelenskyy explains why Putin rejects ceasefire
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (GettyImages)
Vladimir Putin is not interested in ending the war despite not being in a strong position on the battlefield in Ukraine at the moment, according to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement during a Zoom briefing for journalists.
"First of all, he is not in a weak position. He is not in a winning position, but six months ago, his initiative was stronger. Today, the situation has changed, but he still controls it. He does not want us to leave even one of our units in the Kursk region," Zelenskyy explained.
According to him, Russia continues to pressure Ukraine, just as it did after the 2014 occupation.
"This is his tactical approach: to exert pressure in all directions, to intimidate people, to launch missiles to create better conditions for himself at the end of the war," the president said.
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is ready for a ceasefire, countering Russian propaganda.
"Ukraine has shown that it wants to end the war. We are stronger than he thought and ready for a complete ceasefire without any preconditions," he stressed.
The president also noted that Putin will now have to find a way out of this situation, as the international community will not understand his unwillingness to stop the war.
"This will also affect other countries that have so far tried to balance between Ukraine and Russia," Zelenskyy concluded.
30-day ceasefire
Last night, US President Donald Trump held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They agreed that the path to peace would begin with a ceasefire targeting energy and infrastructure facilities, as well as "technical negotiations on the implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace."
During the call, Putin emphasized the need to halt Ukraine's mobilization and rearmament of its armed forces if a ceasefire were to be established.
Today, Trump also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the initial steps toward a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. Following the conversation, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is willing to cease attacks on Russian energy and infrastructure targets. Trump described his talks with Zelenskyy as "very well."
