Zelenskyy responds to Putin’s ultimatum
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin uses sensitive issues like mobilization, intelligence, and weapons as leverage to pressure Ukraine. The Kremlin’s main goal is to weaken the Ukrainian army, not to pursue real peace initiatives, stated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with journalists.
"Putin takes a sensitive issue and raises the topic of mobilization. What’s behind this? Weakening the Ukrainian army. It’s not about mobilization, it’s about reducing the size of our forces," Zelenskyy said.
The President emphasized that this is not a new strategy for the Russian leader, as similar ultimatums have been issued since the beginning of the full-scale war.
"He had this ultimatum at the beginning of the war. It hasn’t changed - he changes the concept, but not the content," Zelenskyy stressed.
The head of state also pointed out that Putin is manipulating intelligence and arms supply issues, knowing that these topics are important in negotiations with the US.
"He sees that the US could make certain moves, so he raises the issues that he believes might work. This has happened before - why not try it again? Intelligence is about weakening our defense. His entire game is to weaken us as much as possible," the President explained.
Trump-Putin talk and 30-day ceasefire
This evening, US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation. During the discussion, they agreed to begin the process of reaching a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.
Later, the Kremlin stated that Putin, in his conversation with Trump, made it clear that one of the conditions for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia is the halting of mobilization in Ukraine and the cessation of arms supplies.
