Washington: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked US President Donald Trump to understand that Russian President Vladimir Putin is the main obstacle to peace between Russia and Ukraine.
"Trump needs to believe that Putin actually lies. And we should do our part. Sensibly approach this issue, to show that it’s not us who are slowing down the process," Zelenskyy was quoted as saying by The Guardian.
Zelenskyy is travelling to Turkey this week, where he will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara. He said he is ready to fly to Istanbul at short notice if Putin comes. Zelenskyy said that he wants the current period of frantic diplomacy and high-stakes gambit between Russia and Ukraine to end with direct talks in Istanbul.
"I want you to understand why I would meet with Putin. We are not going to be able to agree on everything now. It’s impossible. We have different approaches to life, different worldviews. But we have to somehow find a way to end the war," the Ukrainian leader said.
Trump, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, has shown interest in attending a potential meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy. He said, "I believe the two leaders are going to be there. I was thinking about flying over."
Zelenskyy welcomed this idea, stating, "If Trump travels, it will push Putin also to travel. Trump can really help. It’s the situation where the US being present can give important guarantees."
However, so far, the Kremlin has not confirmed that Putin will travel. Instead, reports claimed that Russia is likely to send a lower-level delegation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, "Our delegation will be there and will wait for the Ukrainian side."
