Frightened by the teleconference, Zelensky invited Putin to meet in Minsk
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky summoned Russian head of state Vladimir Putin for a conversation.
He stated this in his video message dedicated to the teleconference between Ukraine and the Russian Federation scheduled for July 12, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
At the same time, Zelensky refused to talk with Putin one-on-one, proposing to meet in the “Budapest” format.
“I would like to appeal to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. Need to talk? Necessary. Let's discuss whose Crimea is and who is not there in Donbass. I suggest the following company for conversation: me, you, US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron. Place? I think that Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko will be happy to receive you and me in Minsk. We are not changing or abandoning any diplomatic formats, we will talk, because we need to talk, right,” Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian president also considered that the upcoming teleconference could be dangerous for the country and bring another split, which is supposedly beneficial to Russia.
“The announced teleconference is simply a cheap but dangerous PR move before the elections, the purpose of which is to again divide you and me, all Ukrainians, into two camps. Politicians will tell one camp: “Of course, let’s talk, we must forget the grievances, we are fraternal peoples, just think, there are thousands of dead guys.” The second camp of politicians will be called to be indignant and, hiding behind patriotism, will go to earn points for the elections. “Look how I heroically stand up to Putin’s godfather, whom I, admittedly, haven’t noticed for five years, but that’s how it is.”
They will begin to smash and burn the TV channel, which will create a wonderful picture for Russian television about brutal fascists who oppress freedom of speech in Ukraine. And this whole trick will give Russia a reason to appeal to the international community: “You see, we want dialogue, but they don’t want it again. So, maybe it’s time to lift the sanctions?”
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