PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – “Russia wants to divide Europe and the United States.” This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a press conference at the end of the work of the Paris summit. Zelensky responded to a question about the role of the United States by calling it “undoubtedly very important.” The Ukrainian head of state added that Russian President Vladimir Putin “does not want” peace and wants to divide Europe and America. “The Kremlin machine has been working for more than a year, dividing and weakening Europe, dividing the European Union, dividing the U.S., dividing them from within in terms of whether they support Ukraine or not,” Zelensky said.
The United States has “steadily” changed its approach to the agreement with Ukraine on rare earths, said the Ukrainian president, who also explained that a framework agreement was originally supposed to be signed first, followed by a detailed text. Now, however, he added, the United States wants to implement a full agreement immediately. Lawyers are reviewing the proposals and are ready to work on them, the Ukrainian president still said. “But I would not like to leave the United States with the feeling that Ukraine is against it in general; we have consistently demonstrated our willingness and sent positive signals,” he concluded.
The United States would “have to impose sanctions on Russia” for not accepting the offer of a complete ceasefire. “Okay, let’s pause and not just tell America, advise America what to do. They have their own people who can advise,” he added. Zelensky finally noted that “Ukraine continues to accept the U.S. proposals without making any changes,” while Russia in fact continues to reject them as it demands adjustments or introduces new conditions.
Zelensky reiterated that Putin is “the only obstacle to progress in the peace talks.” Then addressing U.S. President Donald Trump directly, he appealed for him to “support Ukraine against Russia” and offer adequate security guarantees should the United States block Ukraine’s membership in NATO. The United States, he still noted, could play a crucial role in implementing the ceasefire or peace agreement, as its military might would make Russia aware that violating what was agreed upon would have serious consequences. Finally, Zelensky did not spare some criticism of U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, noting that some of the things he says “for us, for the Ukrainians, seem like a very abstract matter, as if they came from another world.”
– IPA Agency photo –
(ITALPRESS).
