Zelenskyy: Many compromises made, but Russia shows no desire for peace
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Office of the President of Ukraine)
The US is offering Ukraine compromises to end the war with Russia. But the fact that Ukraine is ready to stop the war while the Russian President Vladimir Putin is not in prison — that is the biggest compromise, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s statement on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, as quoted by The Guardian.
"We made a lot of compromises. Putin and his friends, they are not in prison. This is the biggest compromise that the world made already," Zelenskyy explained.
According to him, Ukraine "cannot forget" and will not be able to forget how many people have died during the war unleashed by Putin. However, Kyiv is ready to end this war. But Putin shows no willingness to pursue peace, so stronger pressure on Russia is needed.
"I don’t think that they want to stop the war. I think that they can, … under pressure … That’s why, until there is no enough pressure, they play (games)," he added.
Zelenskyy did not comment on the issue of the US exerting equal pressure on both Ukraine and Russia.
"There are some thoughts which I have to keep to myself," the president explained.
Meanwhile, according to Western media, on the eve of the US election season, negotiations to end the war between Ukraine and Russia could be at risk. US President Donald Trump might withdraw from the negotiation process, blaming Kyiv, Moscow, or both at the same time.
Among other "compromises," the US has proposed creating a free economic zone in Donbas. Washington believes this could serve as a compromise to end the war between Ukraine and Russia. No one is particularly enthusiastic about the idea.
Russia insists on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas and full control over Eastern Ukraine. Moreover, the Kremlin recently stated that it expects international recognition of Donbas as Russian. Ukraine rejects any territorial claims from Russia.
