Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assured on Friday that discussions with Moscow on a meeting with Vladimir Putin had “started”, the Kremlin judging that such an interview was “unlikely” in the next 30 days.
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This subject was notably discussed Wednesday during the last session of peace talks between Russians and Ukrainians in Istanbul, Kyïv having proposed in Moscow to organize a summit between the two leaders before the end of August.
Ukraine has made such an encounter, in which she would like to see the participation of US President Donald Trump, a goal of negotiations to put an end to the Russian invasion that has lasted for more than three years.
Vladimir Putin for his part said that he would be ready for this meeting at the top only in a “final phase” of negotiations, so far not very successful.
“We have to end this war, which probably starts with a meeting of leaders,” said Zelensky in statements broadcast on Friday.
Russian negotiators “started to discuss it” with the Ukrainian part, said Zelensky, believing that it was “progress”.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov has repeated that a “meeting at the highest” can only take place to “put an end to the settlement” of the conflict in Ukraine, which is deadlocked.
“Is it possible to carry out such a complex process in 30 days?” It is clear that this seems unlikely, “he added, stressing that the peace proposals of Moscow and Kyïv remain” diametrically opposed “.
“Clearly prepared”
Despite the ultimatum of Donald Trump, who gave Russia in mid-July 50 to reach an agreement with Kyïv, under penalty of severe sanctions, Moscow does not seem optimistic.
“The meeting must be properly prepared. This is only how she will make sense, “said the head of the Russian delegation in Istanbul on Wednesday, Vladimir Medinski.
The meetings between the two parties, with radically different requests, so far give few results.
Moscow claims that Kyïv gives him four regions today partially occupied, in addition to the Crimea annexed in 2014, and that Ukraine formally renounces to join NATO.
Unacceptable conditions for Ukraine which requires the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory and Western security guarantees, including the pursuit of arms deliveries and the deployment of a European contingent, to which Moscow is opposed.
On the ground, Russia continues to nibble the front line.
“They actually try to unravel. But they did not carry out major breakthroughs, ”said Volodymyr Zelensky to journalists.
However, Ukrainian forces are in trouble, lacking recruits and armaments. Kyïv thus requests new deliveries of arms from his Western allies.
Patriot purchases
An agreement with Washington allowing European countries to buy American weapons to provide them to kyiv must in particular lead to the delivery of ten Patriot anti -aircraft defense systems, essential modern batteries to intercept Russian missiles.
“The President of the United States will transfer us, sell us these systems. Our task is to find funding for these ten systems, “said Zelensky, adding that Germany had already confirmed funding for two of them, and Norway for one.
The Ukrainian leader also said that Washington and kyiv agreed on the sale of drones in the United States.
This contract, of a value which could reach $ 10 to 30 billion (from 8.5 to 25.5 billion euros), would mark a change in the kyiv line against the export of weapons.
“We agreed with the United States and President Donald Trump so that they can buy drones. This agreement is in place, ”said Zelensky.
On the ground, the bombings continued on Friday.
At least four people were killed in Ukraine in several Russian strikes: one in the region of Zaporijjia (South), another in that of Kherson (South) and two in the Donetsk (East) region.
Russia struck the country during the night with 61 drones and two missiles, of which 54 devices were intercepted, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
