Zelenskyy shares details of his conversation with Trump and European leaders
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (president.gov.ua)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned US President Donald Trump and European leaders about the bluff of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the head of state made this statement at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
"Of course, we discussed the battlefield situation today. I told the US President and all our European colleagues that Putin is bluffing. He is trying to pressure everyone ahead of the meeting in Alaska and (to make it seem – ed.) that sanctions are not working," Zelenskyy said.
According to the president, in reality, sanctions are very effective and are hitting the Russian economy hard.
At the same time, Zelenskyy acknowledged that Russia does have more weapons, including three times as much artillery. But the enemy also suffers "three times more losses."
"I told my colleagues, the US President, and our European friends that Putin definitely does not want peace. He wants to occupy our country, and we all truly understand this. Putin will not be able to deceive anyone. We need continued pressure for the sake of peace, not only US sanctions, but also European ones," Zelenskyy added.
Conversation ahead of the Trump-Putin meeting
Amid plans by US President Donald Trump to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska without the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European leaders have expressed concern that Ukraine’s fate, as well as European security, could be decided there.
Against this backdrop, European leaders, together with Zelenskyy, held a videoconference today, August 13, with US President Donald Trump.
According to French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump said he wants to reach an agreement with Putin on a ceasefire in Ukraine.
