Strikes on Russia on May 9, a safe truce and legal grounds for negotiations with Putin: Zelensky held a big briefing
13 May 2025 19:23
VIDEO
The only outcome of the talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin that would be acceptable to Ukraine could be a ceasefire, and a 30-day truce is a step towards de-escalation, as neither side will be able to fully restore its forces during this period, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a briefing on May 13.
[comersant] has collected these and other important statements by the Ukrainian president.
Can Volodymyr Zelenskyy hold direct talks with Vladimir Putin?
Zelenskyy said he was ready for a personal meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and sees it as the first step he must take for the sake of the people.
According to the president, he is ready to negotiate the beginning of the end of the war, and sees his meeting with the Russian leader as a necessary “first step for the sake of people.”
I believe that we need to take the first step for the sake of people. And the whole world is already supporting this for the sake of Ukrainians in the first place. Everyone wants the war to end. We want to agree on the beginning of the end of the war. At least the beginning,” he said.
In addition, Zelenskyy explained why he had enacted the decision of the National Security and Defense Council to ban direct negotiations with Russia by his decree.
He explained that at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine received many ultimatums from Vladimir Putin. It began when representatives of Viktor Medvedchuk (one of the leaders of the banned OPZZh party – ed.) spoke to him on the phone, insisting that Zelenskyy “surrender” Ukraine and threatening the politician and his family members.
“They talked about how to surrender Ukraine, territories, etc., how and where I should run, otherwise I will not have my family,” the Ukrainian leader said.
Zelenskyy also called the statements that he was deprived of the legal right to negotiate with Putin a “Russian narrative “.
“This is the narrative of the Russians that I cannot talk to Putin. By the decision of the National Security and Defense Council, I did what the Constitution already says, that I am the one who fulfills this mission and no one else can negotiate Ukraine’s sovereignty, no one else can negotiate with the leader of Russia and other countries. These are my rights and responsibilities. I have not forbidden myself anything,” he explained.
Talks in Istanbul on May 15: what to expect
The President of Ukraine made it clear that Vladimir Putin’s failure to come to Istanbul in person and the delay is the final point of his demonstration that Russia is not ready to end the war, which means that all the promises of the United States, Europe, and other leaders must be fulfilled. This is especially true of the introduction of new sanctions packages.
In addition, Zelenskyy told reporters that his team had invited current US President Donald Trump to join a meeting in Turkey.
“We invited Trump to join the meeting in Istanbul, I don’t know the decision of the US president. If he confirmed his participation, it would have an additional impetus for Putin to come,” Zelenskyy said.
He also clarified that he would meet with President Erdogan in Turkey. This will take place in Ankara, where both politicians will be waiting for the arrival of the Russian leader to the last minute.
If Putin is not ready to come to Ankara, Erdogan and I will fly to Istanbul. We will do everything to make this meeting happen,” the Ukrainian president summarized.
According to Zelenskyy, he is doing this so that “Russia does not manipulate cities.”
The politician also spoke about what he expects from the talks.
I am looking at the result in any case. The number one result is an unconditional ceasefire. An unconditional ceasefire for today,” he said.
30-day ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia
Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed the opinion that the 30-day ceasefire is more about the opportunity to open a dialogue. This period will not be enough for anyone to regain full strength.
He also said that official Kyiv had received a signal from Beijing that China welcomed and supported the 30-day ceasefire.
Strikes on Russia on May 8 and 9
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine had confirmed its commitment to fulfill its promises with concrete steps. In particular, this applies to the situation when the Armed Forces of Ukraine did not attack the territory of the Russian Federation and, in particular, Red Square, where the Victory Day parade took place on May 9.
The statements of the Russian side to the contrary should be regarded as nothing more than propaganda.
There were signals from China and other countries to ensure that on May 8-10, there was security in the region where many leaders, including China, would be present. There were no strikes on their parade,” Zelensky summarized.
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