Trump and Zelenskyy React to Putin's Ceasefire Statement
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump have commented on Russian leader Vladimir Putin's statement about a ‘30-day truce’ in the war.
Zelenskyy posted a video of his statement on the matter on social media. ‘Now we have all heard from Russia very predictable, very manipulative words from Putin in response to the idea of silence at the front - he is actually preparing a refusal as of now. Putin, of course, is afraid to say directly to President Trump that he wants to continue this war, he wants to kill Ukrainians. That's why they in Moscow are setting up the idea of silence with such preconditions that nothing will happen at all or that it will not happen for as long as possible,’ he says.
Zelenskyy notes that Putin often does this - ‘he doesn't say “no” directly, but he does it in such a way that he almost always delays everything and makes normal solutions impossible.’
The President recalled that the American side had said it was ready to organise control and verification of the ceasefire. The President believes that it is possible to ensure this with American and European capabilities.
‘We do not set conditions that complicate anything. Russia does that. As we have always said, the only one who will delay everything, the only one who will be unconstructive, is Russia. They want war. Putin has stolen years of peace and continues this war - day after day. Now we need to put pressure on him. We need to impose sanctions that will help. We will continue to work with our American partners, with European partners, with everyone in the world who wants peace to force Russia to end the war,’ Zelenskyy said.
Trump expressed his reaction during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
According to The Guardian, the US president said Putin ‘made a very promising statement, but it was not complete’.
He also said he was ready to talk to the Kremlin leader to ensure a ceasefire.
Trump said that his envoy, Steve Witkoff, is having ‘serious talks in Russia’ and is expected to meet with Putin soon.
‘I hope Russia does the right thing,’ the US president said.
As The Gaze previously reported, on 13 March, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he agreed with the proposal to cease fire in Ukraine, but demanded that several conditions be met.