Zelensky refuses to settle with Putin, citing Prigozhin’s death

Kyiv
CNN
—

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky He said the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin — the Russian mercenary leader whose plane crashed weeks after he led a rebellion against Moscow’s military leadership — shows what happens when people make deals with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As the Ukrainian counteroffensive entered its fourth month, with only modest gains so far, Zelensky told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria that he rejected suggestions that it was time to negotiate peace with the Kremlin.

“When you want to reach a settlement or dialogue with someone, you cannot do it with a liar,” Volodymyr Zelensky said.

the The dramatic death of Wagner’s leaderZelensky noted that the events, which followed a short-lived rebellion that threatened the Russian president’s authority, were a warning to heed.

While the United States and other key Ukraine allies continue to supply weapons to Kiev, and stress that the conditions necessary for a “just and lasting” peace are not yet in place, a handful of world leaders, such as Brazilian President Lula da Silva, have put it on Ukraine to end the war.

As evidence of his position, Zelensky cited other countries that have been attacked by Russian soldiers and are still partially occupied by them.

Have you seen any compromise from Putin on other issues? With Georgia? With Moldova?” Zelensky asked rhetorically.

Ukraine has made gradual gains in the south amid heavy fighting with Russian forces, accounts from the front lines indicate.

Geolocated videos on Friday showed a wasteland filled with shell holes, abandoned trenches and smashed military equipment in the area between Robotin, Verbov and Novoprokopivka – a triangle of villages that holds the key for Ukrainians to get closer to Tokmak, an important center for Russian defences.