President Zelensky Says President Putin Doesn't Want A Ceasefire

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Source: President.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday Russian President Vladimir Putin was preparing to reject the ceasefire's proposal, but was afraid to say it directly to United States President Donald Trump.

In his evening address President Zelensky said Russia set terms of a ceasefire to postpone it, or prevent it from happening at all.

"He is actually preparing for the current rejection, because Putin is certainly afraid to tell President Trump that he wants to continue this war, that he wants to kill Ukrainians," President Zelensky said.

"That's why in Moscow they enforce the idea of a ceasefire with these conditions, so nothing happens at all, or so that it can't happen as long as possible."

President Zelensky said Washington had expressed readiness to regulate the control and verification of the ceasefire.

"This is possible to confirm, with the possibility of America and the possibility of Europe," he explained.

Kyiv's leader added the ceasefire would give time "to prepare answers to all questions related to long-term security and real and reliable peace, as well as put forward plans to end the war."

Ukraine approved a full 30-day ceasefire plan proposed by the US at a meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last Tuesday.

The US will communicate the results of a meeting in Jeddah with Russia. Ukraine itself expects assurances of the security and involvement of Europe in any peace efforts.