How did Zelensky respond to Putin’s proposal for a meeting?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his video address on June 19, made important statements regarding the situation around the Russian and Iranian nuclear programs, as well as the prospects for ending the Ukraine–Russia war. He noted that Russia is currently making great efforts to support Iran’s nuclear program and to preserve this project. “These are not just open statements, but it is also clearly visible through covert actions and diplomatic maneuvers,” Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian leader emphasized that if Russia is deprived of the opportunity to receive weapons and military resources from its allies, it will be a great loss for Moscow, and Russia will be forced to search for new sources and to get involved in new conflicts to compensate for this loss.

Tightening sanctions and diplomatic activity

Zelensky stated that he instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, intelligence services, and other relevant agencies to develop and propose new sanction formats to international partners. “To end the war, not only sanctions are needed, but also diplomatic activity and security guarantees are important,” he said.

Full openness for negotiations

Zelensky said that the Ukrainian side is fully ready to really end the war and to achieve a true ceasefire. According to him, Ukraine is open to meetings at any level where important decisions are made, including direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I am ready to meet with Putin, and with any other decision-makers, in any format,” Zelensky said.

He also emphasized the importance of ending the war during Donald Trump’s new presidential term, expressing great hope for diplomatic support from Washington. “Trump’s support is very important for us. We need the pressure and international influence of the United States,” Zelensky stressed.

Is Putin also ready for direct negotiations?

Russian President Vladimir Putin also recently told representatives of international media that he wants to end the war “as soon as possible” and by peaceful means. Putin said he is open to negotiations with Ukraine, but any final agreement must be signed by the legitimate government in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin continues to try to present Zelensky’s presidential powers as “illegitimate.” Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that the legal aspects and legitimacy of the head of state require special consideration.

Trust in negotiations and international concern

Political observers note that, although both sides officially declare openness to negotiations, there is still a lack of practical steps and reliable guarantees. For Ukraine, the main factor remains the effectiveness of international pressure and sanctions. Russia, in turn, wants to continue diplomatic and military actions to preserve its supporters and interests.

Conclusion

In today’s global situation, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues not only on the battlefield, but also on the diplomatic stage. The open statements of Zelensky and Putin inspire hope, but many more negotiations and guarantees will be required for real results. For Ukraine, the main goal is to achieve genuine peace and international security. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!