Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of maneuvering to reject a ceasefire proposal while avoiding direct confrontation with former U.S. President Donald Trump on the matter.
In his evening address on Thursday, Zelenskyy asserted that Russia is deliberately setting conditions on a ceasefire to stall or prevent it from materializing.
“He is in fact preparing a rejection at present, because Putin is of course scared to tell President Trump that he wants to continue this war, that he wants to kill Ukrainians,” Zelenskyy stated.
He further claimed that Moscow’s insistence on imposing conditions is a strategic move to delay or ultimately derail any potential ceasefire.
“That’s why in Moscow they are imposing upon the idea of a ceasefire these conditions, so that nothing happens at all, or so that it cannot happen for as long as possible,” he said.
Zelenskyy also highlighted Washington’s willingness to facilitate oversight and verification of the ceasefire process.
“This is possible to ensure, with America’s possibilities, and Europe’s possibilities,” he noted.
According to the Ukrainian leader, halting hostilities would provide an opportunity to address long-term security concerns and work towards a comprehensive plan for lasting peace.
