Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has rejected US President Donald Trump’s call for a peace deal between Moscow and Kiev, reiterating that a truce has to be implemented before discussing details of a possible settlement.
Zelensky made the statement on Sunday during a joint press-conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who will accompany him to Washington for talks with Trump on Monday.
The Ukrainian leader claimed that Moscow had made “many demands” on the settlement of the conflict and that Kiev needs to be made aware of them.
“If there are really as many as we have heard, then it will take time to go through them all,” he said.
According to Zelensky, it is “impossible” for Ukraine to negotiate “under pressure of weapons.”
Read more Ukraine’s European backers ‘in panic’ after Alaska summit – Putin envoy
“It is necessary to ceasefire and work quickly on a final deal,” he insisted.
Russia has repeatedly turned down Ukraine’s demands for a ceasefire, saying that a pause in the fighting would be exploited by Kiev to rearm and regroup its forces.
The Ukrainian leader also ruled out the possibility of making territorial concessions to Russia as part of a peace deal, saying that trading land is forbidden by the country’s constitution.
Earlier this month, Trump expressed frustration over Zelensky’s attempts to use the Ukrainian constitution as an excuse to avoid making compromises. The US president said that he was “a little bothered by the fact that Zelensky was saying, well, I have to get constitutional approval… I mean, he has got approval to go into war and kill everybody, but he needs approval to do a land swap.”
During the press-conference with Zelensky, Von der Leyen insisted that “Ukraine must become a steel porcupine, indigestible to potential invaders,” repeating a metaphor that she has used before. She promised that the EU would keep working to strengthen the Ukrainian defense industry, especially when it comes to drone production.
The European Commission head claimed that decisions regarding territory “belong only to Ukraine, and cannot be taken without Ukraine at the table.” The EU will continue trying to apply diplomatic and economic pressure on Russia, with its 19th sanctions package against Moscow currently in preparation, Von der Leyen said.
Daily Telegraph New Zealand (DTNZ) is an independent news website, first published in October 2021. - where this article was sourced.
The Ukrainian leader claimed that Moscow had made “many demands” on the settlement of the conflict and that Kiev needs to be made aware of them.
“If there are really as many as we have heard, then it will take time to go through them all,” he said.
According to Zelensky, it is “impossible” for Ukraine to negotiate “under pressure of weapons.”
Read more Ukraine’s European backers ‘in panic’ after Alaska summit – Putin envoy
“It is necessary to ceasefire and work quickly on a final deal,” he insisted.
Russia has repeatedly turned down Ukraine’s demands for a ceasefire, saying that a pause in the fighting would be exploited by Kiev to rearm and regroup its forces.
The Ukrainian leader also ruled out the possibility of making territorial concessions to Russia as part of a peace deal, saying that trading land is forbidden by the country’s constitution.
Earlier this month, Trump expressed frustration over Zelensky’s attempts to use the Ukrainian constitution as an excuse to avoid making compromises. The US president said that he was “a little bothered by the fact that Zelensky was saying, well, I have to get constitutional approval… I mean, he has got approval to go into war and kill everybody, but he needs approval to do a land swap.”
During the press-conference with Zelensky, Von der Leyen insisted that “Ukraine must become a steel porcupine, indigestible to potential invaders,” repeating a metaphor that she has used before. She promised that the EU would keep working to strengthen the Ukrainian defense industry, especially when it comes to drone production.
The European Commission head claimed that decisions regarding territory “belong only to Ukraine, and cannot be taken without Ukraine at the table.” The EU will continue trying to apply diplomatic and economic pressure on Russia, with its 19th sanctions package against Moscow currently in preparation, Von der Leyen said.
Daily Telegraph New Zealand (DTNZ) is an independent news website, first published in October 2021. - where this article was sourced.
4 comments:
Watching the high powered White House meeting it seems positions are firmly entrenched. Meantime, Russia is starting to back track on European troops in Ukraine and won't give up any territory it has occupied. Compromise, no matter how distasteful will save many lives.
One observation watching these leaders orate is "How important the English language is to communication". Take note New Zealand educators.
Zelensky is a money hungry idiot that wants to keep the war going. He seems to fail to understand that losers can't dictate terms. He is determined to rule over ashes.
To Anon of 7.54AM 19 August - not sure of the "source" of your info. What you need to keep in mind that Joe Biden -"stuck his hand out for $$'s" and a seat at a board table (Ukraine Co - Burisma energy) for son Hunter, who has a US Law Degree, has never practice in that trade, his business background has been in finance & helping the family bank a/cs, along with Joe's sister.
His 'other claim to fame' is Lobbying at the Federal Govt Building, Washington, D.C.
Zelensky was elected, by the people, who had enough of the Russia influences within Ukraine Politics, the man Zelensky replaced (Yushchenko- a Russian stooge)was a bigger crook -proven fact - who had great delight in imprisoning Yuliya Tymoshenko (on Putin's orders) on "trumped up charges ( a
normal Russia playbook to remove those who are in the way) - as her popularity was "to much" along with her refusing to work with ' a corrupt system '.
Also keep in mind that Zelensky has been quite prepared to speak on peace deals, but it is a bit hard to do that when 'the enemy' keeps bombarding a Country that it does not want to exist.
If you want to throw a brick, do so at Trump, who has failed to grasp the tenure of what has been happening since Russia invaded Crimea in 2014. Where was the EU & USA then??
Can you imagine Trump willing to give Alaska back to Russia for some reason? But he is quite willing to force Ukraine to give up territory
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