Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky does not believe the recently announced peace negotiations with Russia regarding its invasion will succeed.
Zelensky addressed the plans to begin peace negotiations on the border of Belarus. While he willingly moved forward with them, he remains unconvinced that they will change anything.
“But let them try, so that no citizen of Ukraine doubts that I, as president, tried to stop the war when there was still a chance, however small,” said Zelensky in a Telegram message, according to the Kyiv Independent.
UKRAINIAN DELEGATION AGREES TO MEET WITH RUSSIA AS PUTIN’S FORCES TRY TO TAKE KYIV
Zelensky confirmed on Sunday that a Ukrainian delegation would meet with Russian officials near the Belarusian border without preconditions. No other details have been released, such as the date or venue of the talks.
Putin indicated that he was ready for peace “talks” as early as Friday, according to the Kremlin. Zelensky had initially resisted meeting in Belarus due to the country’s pro-Moscow relationship and stated in an address that he would prefer to meet at other, more neutral locations.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett proposed in a phone call with Putin to act as a mediator, according to a readout released by the Kremlin. Zelensky had presented the idea to Bennett on Friday, reported the Times of Israel, due to Israel’s relationship with both nations. While Putin expressed select approval, it remains unclear if the arrangement will be approved.
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U.S. officials are skeptical of Russia’s intentions and its gestures toward resolving the conflict. “Now we see Moscow suggesting that diplomacy take place at the barrel of a gun, or as Moscow’s rockets, mortars, artillery target the Ukrainian people,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said at a Friday briefing. “This is not real diplomacy. Those are not the conditions for real diplomacy.”
