Zelensky still reeling from Istanbul setback
According to webangah News Agency, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the U.S. to exert greater pressure on Russian president Vladimir Putin, accusing Moscow of “treating diplomacy as a game.”
Zelenskyy’s remarks followed three consecutive days of intense Russian attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions, involving over 900 drones and missiles. In a Telegram post, he stated: “Russia’s strikes grow bolder and more extensive each night.”
“There is no logic here—only a clear political choice,” he added. “Putin’s choice, Russia’s choice: to prolong this war and destroy human lives.”
The Ukrainian leader emphasized that new, severe sanctions against Russia by the U.S., Europe, and all global advocates for peace would serve as an effective tool to force Moscow toward a ceasefire—and perhaps even respect.
“Putin must respect those he negotiates with,” Zelenskyy continued. “right now,he is blatantly treating diplomacy and diplomats as pawns. This behavior must change.”
The comments come amid fragile bilateral relations between Ukraine and Donald Trump’s administration, with Zelenskyy positioning Putin as the primary obstacle to peace.
Trump has openly expressed frustration over stalled Ukraine peace talks, recently claiming Putin had “gone entirely mad” while advising Zelenskyy to “watch his words.”
Kyiv seeks a 30-day ceasefire during negotiations—a proposal Moscow has so far rejected.
last week, Putin told Trump in a phone call that Russia was preparing a memorandum outlining its negotiating position. though, Kyiv and its European allies accuse the kremlin of obstructing progress. During their first direct talks in Istanbul earlier this year (May 15), both sides agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war.
Zelenskyy arrived in Ankara on May 15 for negotiations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan—the same day as Ukraine-Russia talks began—and promptly accused moscow of sending “a fake low-level delegation”.
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