Zelenskyy responds to Putin’s statements on readiness for peace with Ukraine
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
If Russia truly wants to end the war and establish a lasting peace, Ukraine is ready for a meeting at the level of leaders, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Telegram and Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak on Telegram.
The head of the Ukrainian state noted that Kyiv supports the efforts of US President Donald Trump to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, to stop all killings, and to achieve a just and lasting peace.
Zelenskyy also thanked all the countries that support efforts to establish peace.
"We hear statements coming from Russia, and if this is a signal of their genuine willingness to end the war with dignity and to establish a truly lasting peace — and not just an attempt to buy more time for war and delay sanctions — then Ukraine once again confirms its readiness for a meeting at the level of leaders at any time," the president emphasized.
Zelenskyy reminded that Ukraine understands who really makes decisions in Russia and who must end the war. The whole world understands this as well. That’s why Kyiv proposes moving from exchanging statements and meetings of technical teams to a conversation at the level of leaders.
"America proposed this. Ukraine supported it. What’s needed is Russia’s readiness," he added.
Yermak’s response to Putin’s statements
In his turn, Yermak noted that it is high time for Russians to move from empty talk and living in a fictional world to reality.
"A meeting of leaders is possible — only Russia doesn’t want it," he said.
According to the head of the President’s Office, the Russians make far too many statements about their desire for peace while continuing to carry out constant attacks.
Yermak reminded that back in March, Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire proposed by the United States. However, Russia never took that step.
"It’s time for the Russians to move from lies on the bench to concrete action," he emphasized.
What Putin said
On Friday, August 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russia is supposedly ready for negotiations to end the war against Ukraine.
At the same time, the Kremlin leader emphasized that he wants to end the war on the terms he previously voiced. These include Ukraine adopting a neutral status, the withdrawal of Ukrainian Armed Forces from the Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions, among other conditions.
Putin insisted that these terms for ending the war remain unchanged.
Notably, during recent negotiations in Istanbul, the Ukrainian delegation had already proposed to the Russian side that they hold a meeting at the level of leaders by the end of August. In addition to Zelenskyy and Putin, the talks are expected to involve Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump.
