The Ukrainian President said Putin had used ‘highly predictable and manipulative words’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has released a statement responding to Putin’s words on a possible ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
It has now been more than three years since Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in an invasion, and there have been thousands of deaths along with millions of people displaced by the war.
US and Ukrainian officials met recently to discuss the potential for a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine agreed to.
However, any deal would also need to be agreed to by Russia, and US President Donald Trump said that Russian dictator Putin would face a ‘very bad punishment‘ if he didn’t agree.
Putin today (13 March) said he ‘absolutely supports’ the idea of a ceasefire but laid down a number of conditions to pause his invasion of Ukraine, conditions which are not part of the ceasefire deal on the table.
Zelenskyy warned that Putin was trying to say no to the ceasefire without saying it outright (NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images)
Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov appeared to pour cold water on the idea of agreeing the ceasefire deal on the table, and now Zelenskyy has released a statement calling out Putin.
He wrote: “Right now, we have all heard from Russia Putin’s highly predictable and manipulative words in response to the idea of a ceasefire on the front lines—at this moment he is, in fact, preparing to reject it.
“Of course, Putin is afraid to tell President Trump directly that he wants to continue this war and keep killing Ukrainians. That’s why, in Moscow, they are surrounding the ceasefire idea with such preconditions that it either fails or gets dragged out for as long as possible.
“Putin does this often—he doesn’t say ‘no’ outright, but he drags things out and makes reasonable solutions impossible. We see this as yet another round of Russian manipulation.
“There was a U.S. proposal for an unconditional ceasefire—in the air, at sea, and on the front lines. We in Ukraine accepted this proposal. We have heard from the American side that there is readiness to organize monitoring and verification. And this is absolutely feasible—with American and European capabilities.
Right now, we have all heard from Russia Putin’s highly predictable and manipulative words in response to the idea of a ceasefire on the front lines—at this moment he is, in fact, preparing to reject it. Of course, Putin is afraid to tell President Trump directly that he wants…
“And during the ceasefire, to prepare answers to all questions about long-term security and a real, lasting peace, and to put a plan to end the war on the table. Ukraine is ready to work as quickly and constructively as possible. We have discussed this with U.S. representatives, and our European partners, as well as all our allies worldwide, are aware of it.
“We are not setting conditions that complicate the process—Russia is. As we have always said, the only one stalling, the only one being unconstructive, is Russia. They need this war. Putin has stolen years of peace and continues this war day after day.
“Now is the time to increase pressure on him. Sanctions must be applied—ones that will work. We will continue working with our American and European partners and with everyone in the world who wants peace—to force Russia to end this war.”
Featured Image Credit: X / ZelenskyyUa
Topics: Russia, Ukraine, World News, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin
Joe Harker
Vladimir Putin says Russia won’t ‘give in to anyone’ as he publicly addresses war with Ukraine
He said he wants a ‘peace which would suit us’
Russian leader Vladimir Putin spoke today on the sort of peace deal he might be looking for over the war with Ukraine.
There are efforts to strike a ceasefire agreement between Russia and the nation it has been invading for the past three years, and if such an agreement can be secured then Ukraine is hoping for security guarantees to ward off future Russian aggression.
As such, the terms of any such ceasefire are going to be difficult to work out and Putin has spoken about what he wants from such a deal.
The BBC reports that while speaking to mothers and widows of Russian soldiers he said: “We must win such a version of peace which would suit us and which ensure calm for our country for a long historical perspective.
“We don’t want anything that belongs to others, but we won’t give away anything that belongs to us. We need the option that would ensure our country’s stable development under conditions of peace and security.”
Vladimir Putin has said he wants ‘a version of peace which would suit us’ (Contributor/Getty Images)
Considering he’s invaded Ukraine and taken part of their territory, his idea of what ‘belongs to’ Russia is likely to be rather different than the Ukrainian perspective on things.
When the dictator was told that Russia ‘shouldn’t give in to anyone’, Putin responded that ‘we are not going to do that’, so it would appear to be a sign that he’s not looking to make concessions at potential talks over peace.
Such concessions would instead have to come from Ukraine, likely meaning they’d have to surrender territory.
Elsewhere in Russia, their foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, said that the Kremlin rejected the possibility that fighting could stop on a temporary basis.
She said that ‘firm agreements on a final settlement are needed’ and said that without it a pause in the fighting would be ‘unacceptable’.
Russia continues to bombard Ukraine (OLEKSANDR GIMANOV/AFP via Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country wanted peace ‘but not at the cost of giving up Ukraine’.
The Ukrainian position in trying to repel the invasion of their country has taken a turn for the worse recently as the new Trump administration paused military aid shipments to them.
US officials have said that Donald Trump is focused on ‘peace’, though for Ukraine, peace on Russia’s terms is far more of a surrender after three years of fighting off Putin’s invasion.
The US decision to pause assistance for Ukraine was very much welcomed by Russia, while under Trump’s direction the Americans have also cut off intelligence support for the Ukrainian military as well.
Other European nations have been holding talks on how they might be able to fill the void left by a pause in US support as the Russian attacks continue, with drone strikes killing four people and wounding many more after a hotel where humanitarian aid workers were staying was struck.
Featured Image Credit: GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Topics: Russia, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Joe Harker
Russia releases statement after Donald Trump read out letter sent to him by Zelenskyy
The Ukrainian President claimed his country was ‘ready to come to the negotiating table’
A Kremlin representative has spoken on Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s apparent willingness to negotiate with Russia after Donald Trump read out a letter from the Ukrainian President in Congress.
Last week (February 28), US President Trump and Vice President JD Vance met with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office to discuss Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia among other things.
The conversation escalated, with the Republican leader claiming the country did not ‘have the cards’ to rally against Vladimir Putin’s forces, and that Zelenskyy was ‘gambling with World War III’.
“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people”, Trump said. “You’re gambling with World War Three, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have.”
Trump also promised to pause all military aid to Ukraine—a move Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said was the ‘best contribution to the cause of peace’.
Following Zelenskyy’s early exit from the White House and the cancellation of his and Trump’s joint press conference, the politician issued a letter to the 47th President of the United States.
This note was read out to Congress in Washington yesterday (March 4) and stated: “Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible.
“My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.
“We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence.”
President Donald Trump claims peace talks with Russia have previously taken place (Andrew Harnik/Getty Image)
Trump went on to read that Ukraine is also ‘ready’ to sign the agreement on rare earth minerals at ‘any’ time convenient to the US – an agreement they were supposed to sign during Zelenskyy’s visit, before getting into a heated discussion.
“It’s time to end this senseless war. If you want to end wars, you have to talk to both sides,” The Apprentice star remarked.
He also claimed there had already been ‘serious discussions’ about peace with Russia, but it is not known when these conversations took place.
Now, it appears Moscow is looking favourably on the Ukraine leader’s willingness to ‘come to the negotiating table’.
“We are positive. The question is with whom to sit at the negotiating table,” Peskov said.
He noted that it was not currently clear how these talks would take place, due to a 2022 decree declaring that Ukraine would not negotiate with Russian leader Putin.
“For now, the legal ban by the Ukrainian President holding talks with the Russian side is in force.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has issued a statement following the Ukranian’s letter (Sefa Karacan/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Overall, the approach is positive, but the details have not changed yet.”
Sky News reports that a Russian drone attack was launched last night (4 March) on the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa, killing a 77-year-old woman and injuring three others.
Regional governor Oleh Kiper said the woman died of shrapnel wounds on the outskirts of the city, and that the drones had damaged private homes and started fires.
In retaliation, Ukraine’s air force has stated it shot down 115 of the 181 drones fired in the overnight attack.
Featured Image Credit: MIKHAIL METZEL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, Russia, US News, Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, World News
Ella Scott
Zelenskyy speaks out in interview and refuses to apologise after being accused of ‘gambling with WW3’ by Trump
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy were filmed in a heated exchange yesterday
After being accused of ‘gambling with World War III’ by Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke out in an interview.
The Ukrainian president didn’t apologise for the exchange as he said he wanted the US to ‘be more on our side’.
Trump and Vice President JD Vance met with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office yesterday (28 February) as talks descended into a heated argument.
He ended up leaving the White House early, putting plans for the US and Ukraine to sign a minerals agreement on hold with their joint press conference cancelled.
A video from the meeting features Trump telling Zelenskyy: “You either make a deal or we are out. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel.”
And he then slams: “You’re not in a very good position, you’ve allowed yourself to be in a bad position… you don’t have the cards right now… you’re gambling with the lives of millions of people! You’re gambling with World War III!”
Having taken to X afterwards to thank America for the ‘support’, Zelenskyy wrote: “Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.”
He also spoke out on the meeting in an interview with Fox News, saying he is confident the relationship with Trump can be salvaged.
“Because it’s relations more than two presidents. It’s the historical relations, strong relations between our people, and that’s why I always began… to thank your people from our people,” he explained.
Things got heated between the pair (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“Of course, thankful to the president, and, of course, to Congress, but first of all, to your people. Your people helped save our people… we wanted very much to have all these strong relations, and where it counted, we will have it.”
Zelenskyy said the whole exchange was ‘bad for both sides’ but that he is ‘not sure that we did something bad’.
“I just want to be honest, and I just want our partners to understand the situation correctly, and I want to understand everything correctly. That’s about us not to lose our friendship,” he added.
Trump also shared a statement about the tense meeting on his Truth Social platform.
Zelenskyy says he thinks things can be salvaged (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
He said: “We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure.
“It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations.
“I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
Former president and deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev also shared a shocking statement on X: “The insolent pig finally got a proper slap down in the Oval Office. And @realDonaldTrump is right: The Kiev regime is ‘gambling with WWIII’.”
Featured Image Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Topics: Ukraine, Russia, Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Politics, US News, World News
Jess Battison
Hot mic reveals what Trump said before Zelenskyy walked out of Oval Office
The pair were embroiled in a heated debate at the White House last week
Words the US President Donald Trump reportedly said about Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their tumultuous Oval Office meeting have reportedly been revealed after being picked up by a hot mic.
On February 28, President Zelenskyy, 47, attended a meeting with Trump, 78, at the White House, with plans to take part in a joint press conference and sign a rare earth minerals deal.
The pair exchanged heated words in Washington, with the 47th POTUS accusing the politician of ‘gambling with World War III’ and of not having the ‘cards’ to continue its fight with Russia.
It appeared Trump also winked at a journalist who questioned the Ukrainian leader on why he didn’t wear a suit to their meeting.
Zelenskyy proceeded to leave the US capital early after the press conference was cancelled, heading to the UK to meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer ahead of an international security summit.
Previously, it was debated whether Zelenskyy exited the White House on his own merit, or whether he was ordered to leave.
The latter appears to be correct, if reports of a hot mic catching President Trump’s orders can be believed.
The Daily Mail claims that The Apprentice mogul instructed his aides to take Zelenskyy from the Oval Office to a room down the hall called the Roosevelt room.
It was there that he and his team were allegedly informed that Trump wanted them off the premises.
A hot mic has reportedly picked up what Trump said after the exchange (ABC 7News)
Speaking to an aide as press left the room, Trump said: “You’re right, maybe we should [inaudible]. Let’s have a little something…
“Would you bring them to the Roosevelt Room?”
In the wake of the fiery meeting, Zelenskyy has thanked the US and Trump for their ongoing support via social media.
The message came after Vice President JD Vance, 40, criticised Zelenskyy for ‘not saying thank you’ during the heated exchange.
“Do you think it’s respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America that’s trying to prevent the destruction of your country?” Vance quelled.
“Have you said thank you once? During this entire meeting?”
After defending himself, Zelenskyy took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and wrote: “Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians.
I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace. None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under…
“My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.”
Trump, who has also received a letter from Zelenskyy making remarks in a similar vein to that of his social media post, has said he ‘appreciated’ the Ukrainian Prime Minister reaching out to him.
He also claimed there had been ‘serious discussions’ with Russia and that he’d received ‘strong signals that they are ready for peace’.
It was not revealed when these alleged talks had taken place, nor whether Trump himself had been involved in them.
Featured Image Credit: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News, Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, World News, Russia, JD Vance
