Zelensky commented on Putin's statement about the Istanbul negotiations and Orban's role.

Ukraine reacts to Russia's demands after the invasion, - Zelensky

Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, stated that the 'Istanbul agreements' were merely Russia's demands on the first day of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He made this statement during a press conference in Brussels.

'I am surprised by his (Putin's - IF-U) statements that he is ready for something because he always says that I am illegitimate,' the president noted.

According to Zelensky, at the beginning of the war, the Russian side tried to push its demands through various intermediaries. 'Their messengers from various directions, using different sources, showed us the details of these demands. These messengers are no longer here; they fled to Russia or abroad,' the president said.

Zelensky emphasized that despite Russia's attempts to soften its positions and hold meetings in Belarus and Turkey, no real agreements were signed. 'Ukraine did not sign anything; there were no agreements. There was a response to Russia's demands,' he stressed.

The president expressed his skepticism towards the initiative of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, stating that he did not have a conversation with him and considers his initiative unserious. He also emphasized that Orban has no mandate to negotiate with the Russian leadership.

Zelensky reminded about Ukraine's principled position: no issues can be discussed without the participation of the Ukrainian side. 'Because the war is in our state. Therefore, we are very skeptical about this,' he explained.

Regarding the exchange of prisoners, the president stated that about 3,500 Ukrainian captives were returned as a result of exchanges with Russia. He emphasized that this is an important challenge for Ukraine, not a grand celebration.