 "'Ready for peace, but don't trust Russia': Ukraine's Zelenskyy after call with Trump. File image/AFP")
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday (local time) accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to “legalise the occupation” of Ukrainian territory, as efforts to reach a peace deal gather pace.
Zelensky said ending the war depends entirely on Moscow. “First and foremost, there must be a just end to the war, and it depends on Russia. It is Russia that must end the war it started,” he told Ukrainians in his address.
Call for a real and lasting peace
He stressed that Ukraine and its allies share the same goal — a ceasefire and an end to the killings.
“Only one actor stands against this, Putin. His only card is the ability to kill, and he is trying to sell the cessation of killings at the highest possible price,” Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian leader insisted that what was needed was not a temporary pause, but “a real, lasting peace.” He called for an immediate ceasefire, adding that US President Donald Trump had also told him the same. Trump is set to meet Putin in Alaska on August 15 in an attempt to end the war.
Backing Trump’s proposals for peace
“I have not heard any partners express doubts about America’s ability to ensure that the war ends. The President of the United States has the levers and the determination. Ukraine has supported all of President Trump’s proposals, starting back in February. Ceasefire, all formats have been supported,” Zelensky said.
He accused Putin of seeking territorial gains and the legalisation of occupation, vowing that Ukraine would not accept a “second partition” after the loss of Crimea.
Kyiv on exclusion from Alaska meet
Trump and Putin will meet next Friday in Alaska to discuss ending the war, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022. There has been no indication that Ukraine will take part, despite repeated calls from Kyiv and European leaders for its inclusion in the talks.
This has angered Kyiv, with Zelensky declaring, “We won’t give land to the occupier” and warning that “any decisions without Ukraine are also decisions against peace.”