Ukraine is ready for any format of talks with Russia to achieve peace, but the Russian side, despite public statements, does not show readiness for a real conversation.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky told media representatives in Mariupol, Donetsk region, Ukrinform reports, referring to the president’s press service.
“As soon as Russia says publicly that it is ready to talk about de-escalation, ready to talk about bilateral relations, every time after that we request Russia to hold a meeting in this or that format. But, apart from the public position, in reality they are not willing to communicate with us, they do not want to,” the President said.
Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine is ready for talks. “I am ready for any format,” he said.
In addition, Zelensky noted said that Ukraine, as a responsible country, submitted official requests and tried to contact Russian President Vladimir Putin when the risks of escalation on Ukraine’s borders increased due to the buildup of Russian troops.
“Ukraine is not left without an answer, but this answer does not lead to a meeting. Nobody approves the phone conversation either,” he said.
Zelensky added that Ukraine is also interested in initiatives of other countries that offer assistance in organizing a meeting with the Russian side.
As reported, as part of a two-day working trip, President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Rivne region on February 16, and arrived in Donetsk region on February 17.
© 2022 Ukrinform News
‘But, apart from the public position, in reality they are not willing to communicate with us, they do not want to,” the President said.’
Which could mean they want to invade one way or the other, or make it look that way. The West’s totally weak response so far is scandalous! Why not tell Putler to remove his trash within three days or sanctions from hell will be applied?!
Daily Telegraph now:
“There is “every indication Russia is prepared to go into Ukraine” and that an invasion could come “in the next several days,” Joe Biden has said.
Speaking with reporters outside the White House, the American president said the threat of invasion is “very high” and that the White House has information about a false flag operation on behalf of Moscow.
It comes as Boris Johnson has said the attack on a kindergarten in Ukraine was a “false flag operation designed to discredit the Ukrainians.”
“We fear very much that that is a thing we will see more of over the next few days.”
The statements comes as multiple shelling incidents were recorded along the line of contact between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine on Thursday, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe said.”
I would be a little cautious about Biden’s statements, any politician with a 38% approval rate is going to look for something to be a hero with….and….it wouldn’t surprise me that Putin could follow along with it. There’s no doubt he’d rather have a marshmallow in the White House as he does now.
Okay, this does sort of make Zelensky look like putin’s puppet. I didn’t understand the resentment against him before.
Some years ago Yulia Tymoshenko proposed (I can’t remember when) that the correct format for resolving the issue of Russian aggression was via the Budapest Memorandum signatories.
The time is now right for senior representatives of all four signatories to sit down and negotiate in good faith.
Nothing involving Germany or France has or will ever solve anything.
Offer it on an open ended basis to putler. If he declines, start massive and far-reaching sanctions.