Ukraine is doing everything to bring peace closer.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this in an exclusive interview with Associated Press.
"We are fighting, we are living, we are doing everything to bring peace closer. We are now closer to this than ever in these three years of war. We have defended our state, our independence, our country, our capital, and many different cities and villages," he said.
At the same time, Zelenskyy noted that Russia’s illegitimate president, Vladimir Putin, does not want peace talks and will continue to disrupt them.
"He will come up with excuses to avoid the possibility of ending the war in Ukraine – through negotiations with Ukraine at the table," Zelenskyy said. He emphasized that Ukraine's participation in negotiations would be a defeat for Putin, which is why he fears them.
According to Zelenskyy, Putin believes he is at war not with Ukraine, but with the West.
"He is at war with the West, with America. He believes he is defeating America. That is how it looks in his mind. Although the reality on the battlefield, despite the difficulties, is different – Ukraine has not allowed him to win," the president stated.
Background. Earlier, Mind reported that Zelenskyy warned that excluding Ukraine from U.S.-Russia negotiations on the war would be "very dangerous." He believes there should be more discussions between Kyiv and Washington to develop a ceasefire plan.