Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated on Monday that Russia should not be “rewarded” for his war, a few hours before a long -awaited meeting with Donald Trump and some European leaders who accompanied the Ukrainian in Washington.
In long messages posted on social networks, the Ukrainian president has reiterated the elements he considers essential in recent hours, adding that the last Russian strikes on Ukraine were “cynical” and “demonstrative”. According to him, the strikes have everything to do with the meeting scheduled during the day in Washington. Mr. Putin tries to “humiliate diplomatic efforts”, he judges.
While “everyone” (in Washington) is looking for a “dignified peace and real security”, “the Russians attack Kharkiv, Zaporijjjja, the Soumy region, and Odessa, destroying residential buildings and our civil infrastructure,” said the Ukrainian president. The Russians “deliberately kill, especially children”.
AFP/Simon Wohlfahrt
Vladimir Putin will continue, assures the Ukrainian president, in order to put pressure on Ukraine and Europe. “This is precisely why we are asking for help to end the killings. This is why safe security guarantees are necessary. This is why Russia should not be rewarded for its participation in this war. War must be arrested. And it is Moscow who must hear the word ‹stop ‘,” concludes Volodymyr Zelensky, in a message that seems directly addressed to the White House.
The Ukrainian president was later expected in the day by his American counterpart Donald Trump, who had received Vladimir Putin last Friday in Alaska. Several European leaders will be present in Washington to support kyiv’s position, summoned by the American president to accept concessions.
The French President Emmanuel Macron, the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, NATO Mark Rutte, and the president of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen. European leaders will hold a preparatory meeting before leaving a Trump-Zelensky tête-à-tête, at 1:00 p.m. locals (7:00 p.m. Swiss), then join the two men.
