Zelensky and Putin: what will they discuss behind closed doors.

Potential meeting of Zelensky and Putin: expert opinion

The potential meeting of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Russian dictator Putin should take place in the format of a private dialogue behind closed doors. Without listeners and journalists. Delicate issues such as territories and security guarantees should be discussed only between Zelensky and Putin. This opinion was expressed by political scientist Igor Chalenko on the air of the TV channel FREEДOM.

'This meeting should have minimal participation of journalists and indeed take place behind closed doors. The maximum that can happen is literally a few general protocol proposals to show a willingness to achieve some results in the diplomatic process of negotiations. And nothing more. That is, everything should be discussed exclusively behind closed doors,' the expert believes.

Putin is a murderer and a terrorist; however, we will have to talk to him. And Ukraine must be in a strong position in the negotiations, emphasized Chalenko.

'This is indeed that little minimal chance, although we all understand that the moods in the Russian Federation regarding the achievement of peace in Ukraine have not changed, unfortunately. But there is a completely adequate attitude of the Ukrainian president towards the Russian dictator, given how many crimes and victims Putin's policy has brought. But even with such a serial murderer, you still have to talk; you need to find certain points of contact to stop the killings,' he said.

According to Chalenko, it is important to maintain a calm tone during the meeting so that negotiations lead to results.

'The recent meeting of the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul was indicative. Not the first, not even the second, but the third. It was already more improved, where there were no, say, excessive emotions. That is, there was a maximum working tone. It is clear that it did not bring any serious progress, but it gave results in the exchange of prisoners of war. In such a tone, it is necessary to maintain the future meeting, if it takes place and Putin ultimately goes to it,' summed up the political scientist.

As for the main expectations from the meeting at the leader level - it is a clear understanding of the concept of future security guarantees, progress on the ceasefire agreement, and approaching the meeting in a trilateral or quadrilateral format.

Political scientist Igor Chalenko believes that the meeting between Zelensky and Putin should take place in a format of closed dialogue without the participation of journalists, and that Ukraine should be truly prepared for this to achieve results and stop the war. Chalenko emphasizes the importance of a calm tone in negotiations and understanding the main aspects of security guarantees.