Russia unwilling to negotiate ongoing war as it 'still feels strong': Zelenskyy

Amid ongoing brutal war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserted that his Russian counterpart, Vlimir Putin, does not want to end war as he still "feels strong" despite numerous efforts of preventing his unlawful actions. While speaking with US corporate leers on Wednesday, he reiterated that to negotiate with Putin, it is necessary to seize "muscle power" of Moscow.

"For Russia to join in negotiations is simply not possible now because Russia can still feel its power," he told corporate leers. "We need to weaken Russia and world is supposed to do it," he ded.

Furr, he appealed to all world leers to impose stringent sanctions on Russia for its unlawful action against his country. Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine has been doing its part on battlefield since onset of war and now world needs to impose even tougher sanctions to weaken Russia economically. He told business leers, "We need to switch Russia off global financial system completely." Putting his staunch stand over freedom of Ukraine, Ukrainian President said he is willing to negotiate with Russia to end war, but "not at expense of Ukraine's independence".

Earlier, during an dress to nation on May 21, Zelenskyy affirmed that he would consider victory only when Putin would return all regions seized by Russian forces to Ukraine. Ukrainian President said he believes Russia would furr escalate war but noted that it has to return to negotiating table. According to him, it is necessary to negotiate with Putin as thousands of civilians have been killed since brutal war started in February this year. 

Russia rey to negotiate, says Upper House Speaker

Notably, Russia started "special military operation" earlier on February 24 alleging Ukraine h been planning to join NATO military alliance. However, Zelenskyy, on several occasions, clarified that Ukraine has no intention to be a Nato alliance in "near future". Earlier last month, Moscow's upper parliament house speaker said Russia is rey to hold negotiations with Kyiv to restore peace in region. speaker said Putin ministration is open to talks with Ukraine and signing agreements that would le to peace. She said that Russian government is rey to solve issue diplomatically and ded a will for this is needed on both sides. However, she claimed that Zelenskyy ministration has shown no interest in resolving issue. 

Image: AP