Zelensky: Putin is "afraid of negotiations" and is prolonging the war.

According to Zelensky, there is currently "an opportunity to achieve a real peace," but Putin is doing everything possible to "either continue large-scale killings or obtain a pause to prepare for a new full-scale invasion through hybrid attacks." Zelensky urged world leaders to learn from past mistakes and "force" Russia into peace.

Vladimir Zelensky previously stated that the U.S. President Donald Trump could end the Russian-Ukrainian war faster than anyone else. He also emphasized the importance of providing security guarantees to Ukraine, which he believes should be ensured by Europe and the United States.

In October 2022, Zelensky signed a decree banning negotiations with Putin following Russia's announcement of the annexation of four Ukrainian regions. On January 26, Zelensky clarified that this decree applies to everyone except himself. "I am the President of Ukraine, I am the leader of certain negotiations, and I have prohibited everyone else," he emphasized.

Zelensky's term expired in May of last year. Officials in Kyiv state that holding elections in Ukraine during wartime is impossible. The Russian side periodically uses this to claim Zelensky's illegitimacy.