Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's letter a chance for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to end the war, noting that the ball is in the Russians' court because Ukraine has once again publicly demonstrated its position - a readiness to end the war through diplomacy, while currently holding its strongest positions on the battlefield in the past year. Sybiha stated this during a national telethon, reports UNN.
Details
"I believe that this letter-appeal to Putin is a letter of opportunity for Putin himself. I am certain that it is currently being analyzed and studied in Russia. Yesterday, I received instructions from President Zelenskyy to also transmit this letter through diplomatic channels. We have registered it and distributed it across the platforms of international organizations, including the UN, OSCE, and the Council of Europe. The message in this letter is about the real situation we are in today, and the situation Russia is in, because this is also a chance for Russia to end this war in the short term. Considering what is happening on the battlefield, considering Russia's economy,"
He added that Zelenskyy provides an objective picture which Ukraine hopes Putin will read, unlike the pseudo-reports and bravado-filled briefings presented to him by his inner circle.
"Ukraine wants to end the war; we have proposals, and we know how to achieve a dignified, just peace. In connection with the situation in the Middle East, we see... diplomatically I'll say a pause, but non-diplomatically - a stalling in peace efforts due to the refocusing of US attention on the Middle East. We have no time to delay. We want to maintain high momentum in the negotiation process. We have reached the phase where a meeting at the leadership level can truly bring a just and dignified peace closer. President Zelenskyy clearly states this in his letter. Now the ball is in the Russians' court because Ukraine has once again publicly shown its position - we are ready to end the war diplomatically, holding the strongest positions on the battlefield in the last year. Ukraine has now significantly bolstered its negotiating position thanks to the courage of our warriors and asymmetric attacks. Thanks to our unique expertise in closing the sky and the skill of our warriors in shooting down Russian aerial targets,"
According to him, it would be wise for Putin to accept this proposal, stop hiding, and meet.
"Of course, these absurd proposals to come to Moscow are unacceptable. This is another manipulation and an attempt to avoid this meeting. A meeting could truly lead to bringing peace closer. And this is in the interest now, including, first and foremost, of the Russians,"
As a reminder
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote an open letter to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, proposing to schedule a meeting and set a date.
The Office of the President confirmed that they received a response to Volodymyr Zelenskyy's letter to American leader Donald Trump and Congress; details are not being disclosed at this time.