Zelenskyy: Russia expected scandal from London talks on April 23
Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba (Photo: RBC-Ukraine, Vitalii Nosach)
Negotiations in London on April 23 between Ukraine, the United States, and European representatives were not easy. Russia was counting on a major scandal, President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated at a press conference with the President of South Africa.
According to the head of state, the conversation in London between Ukraine, the USA, and Europe was not easy but constructive. It ended not with disagreements but with a desire to continue working.
"I am sure that Russia was counting on a big scandal yesterday, and even some emotions were voiced in the media. But these are still just emotions. Russia does not like the alliance around Ukraine because Ukraine if it is alone, will be an easier target for Russia," Zelenskyy said.
The president emphasized that Ukraine, over three years of war, has become strong enough and wants the end of the war more than anyone. That is why the meeting between Zelenskyy and the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, began not with discussions of the economy but with the issue of settling the war and a ceasefire. As the President of Ukraine noted, the second topic was not energy security but the return of Ukrainian children deported by the Russian Federation.
"South Africa has already helped us with this, and we want it to help more. Yesterday in London, the number one question was how to end the war, how to stop Putin," Zelenskyy added.
Negotiations in London on April 23
On Wednesday, April 23, negotiations were held in London among Ukraine, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Initially, it was expected that there would be a meeting at the ministerial level, but US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ignored it.
Therefore, in London, negotiations were held at a lower level — with the participation of national security advisors. However, the defense ministers and the foreign ministers of Ukraine and the UK held bilateral meetings. The negotiations were attended by the US envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg.
As reported by the media, Rubio boycotted the negotiations in London because Zelenskyy refused a key US proposal — to recognize Crimea as part of the Russian Federation.
