Zelensky states Ukraine won’t survive t5en years of war
(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has acknowledged that while the duration of the ongoing conflict with Russia remains uncertain, Ukraine cannot sustain another ten years of war. In an interview with the French newspaper Liberation, Zelensky emphasized the growing fatigue among Ukrainians and expressed his determination to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Türkiye for direct discussions focused on a full prisoner exchange and a ceasefire agreement.
Zelensky’s comments came after Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed reviving direct peace negotiations, which Kyiv had walked away from in 2022. Putin stated that Moscow was ready to send a delegation to Istanbul for serious discussions aimed at achieving lasting peace and addressing the root causes of the conflict.
While Zelensky had previously rejected the idea of talks with Moscow, he welcomed the renewed opportunity for negotiations in Türkiye and traveled there personally, expressing hope that the discussions would offer some relief to his war-weary population. He admitted that the ongoing war is taking a toll on both morale and the economy, making prolonged conflict unsustainable.
However, Zelensky criticized the Russian delegation as mere “props,” insisting that only a direct meeting with Putin would be meaningful. This drew sharp rebukes from Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov labeled Zelensky a “pathetic person,” and Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed his comments, accusing him of lacking the authority to undermine professionals involved in the talks.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation in Istanbul, affirmed Russia's readiness for dialogue and hinted at the possibility of compromise. Despite his presence in Türkiye, Zelensky said he would not personally participate in the talks without Putin, assigning Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to lead Ukraine’s team instead. He noted that Kyiv was taking part in the negotiations primarily out of respect for Turkish President Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump.
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