Russian President Vladimir Putin is still not ready to hold a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart to de-escalate tensions, despite the escalating hostilities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 19 publicly called for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I want people to listen to me now, especially in Moscow. It's time for a meeting, it's time for dialogue," Mr. Zelensky said.
However, a senior Turkish official said that Putin was not ready for such negotiations with Ukraine.
Earlier, on the afternoon of March 17, President Putin had a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and raised Russia's requirements to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine and end the long-running conflict. 3 weeks.
Ibrahim Kalin, a spokesman and top adviser to President Erdogan, was one of the few officials who watched the two leaders' phone conversation.
"Mr Zelensky is ready to meet, but Putin believes that the positions of the two sides are not unified enough to hold a meeting at the leadership level," Kalin said.
Turkey and President Erdogan are playing an important mediator role in connecting Russia and Ukraine to reduce tensions.
According to the Turkish official, President Putin "now accepts the fact that Mr. Zelensky is the leader of the Ukrainian people", whether the Russian leader wants it or not.
"I believe the meeting will happen at some point. The two sides will also reach a peace agreement at some point. We all want this scenario to happen soon, but perhaps Mr. Putin thinks he wants to be in the "top door" position in the meeting, not in a weaker position due to military defeat or economic sanctions," Kalin added.
According to the Turkish presidential spokesman, the first request made by President Putin was that Ukraine should maintain its neutrality and not apply to join NATO. In addition, President Putin also wants Ukraine to go through a disarmament process to ensure it does not pose a threat to Russia. Putin also wants Ukraine to protect Russian-speaking people in Ukraine.
President Putin also made other demands that are considered more difficult to accept with Ukraine, related to the status of Crimea and the Donbass region, Eastern Ukraine. Although Mr. Kalin did not provide details, Russia is believed to be asking the Ukrainian government to recognize the independence of the breakaway territories in the east. In addition, Moscow also wants Ukraine to officially accept Crimea as belonging to Russia.
In a statement following a phone call between President Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on March 18, the Kremlin said Putin suspects "Ukraine is trying to do everything possible to delay the negotiations and make a proposal." more and more unrealistic proposals".
Vladimir Medinsky, an adviser to President Vladimir Putin and Russia's chief negotiator, said on March 16 that Moscow's goal in negotiations with Kiev remained unchanged: Russia wanted to see a peaceful Ukraine. , free, neutral and independent.
Ukraine says it is ready to negotiate but will not surrender or accept Russia's ultimatums. Kiev has maintained its position on Ukraine's sovereignty over the areas controlled by the separatists since 2014.
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