Zelenskyy Urges Putin to End War Through Diplomacy

This week, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed disappointment over the missed opportunity to take significant steps towards ending the war with Russia, citing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s absence as a hindrance to progress. Speaking at the European Political Community Summit in Tirana, Albania, Zelenskyy stated his willingness to meet with Putin in Turkey to address key issues. However, Russia only sent a low-level delegation to Turkey, lacking the necessary decision-making authority.

Zelenskyy underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire to halt the violence and facilitate diplomatic efforts. He called for increased pressure on Russia, including sanctions on its energy sector and banks, if progress is not achieved. The Ukrainian President emphasized the importance of trust-building measures, such as the return of prisoners of war and abducted civilians, as well as defining the issues requiring leadership-level resolution.

Despite the setback in negotiations, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to ending the conflict and urged Putin to empower his delegation with genuine authority. He pledged to keep Ukraine’s international partners informed about the situation and stressed the necessity of concrete progress towards peace. For more information, visit the official website of the President of Ukraine.