Zelensky on meeting with Putin: Russia is doing everything to sabotage it.

According to FREEДOM:

Zelensky's statement on a possible leaders' meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated during a press conference on August 29 that Russia is preparing for a leaders' level meeting while simultaneously doing everything possible to prevent it from happening. According to him, everything depends on Russia's actions.

'I think two parallel processes are occurring. The Russians are considering how to make a bilateral meeting possible. But they're also thinking about what to do to ensure it does not happen. They will do everything to prevent our meeting with Putin from taking place,' the President of Ukraine believes.

Zelensky is convinced that both the Global South and the United States can facilitate the leaders' meeting.

'If the pieces fall into place, which should be supported by both the Global South and the U.S., then the Russians will have to agree. Especially when there are again ultimatums from Peskov (Putin's press secretary, — ed.). This old story about denazification and so on. It seems like an attempt to postpone negotiations. In my view, they need to prepare their society, which is radicalized and does not see the point in our meeting,' the head of state noted.

Earlier, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, noted that Vladimir Putin ignores any peace initiatives, so pressure on Russia must be increased.

Zelensky's words draw attention to the difficult situation surrounding potential peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. In the context of an ongoing conflict, it is important that international partners actively work on creating conditions for dialogue, despite the difficulties and obstacles that Russia puts in place. Thus, attempts to find pathways to peace have become even more relevant on the world stage.