© EPA / SERGEY DOLZHENKO The Ukrainian president also commented on the possibility of his own meeting with Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with ABC News that the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska was an achievement for the Kremlin leader.
“It's a pity that Ukraine wasn't there, because, in my opinion, President Trump actually gave Putin what he wanted. He had long wanted to meet with the president of the United States. And now he has achieved it. It's a shame. Putin doesn't want to meet with me, but he really needs to meet with the president of the United States — so that he can then show everyone these footage and photos,” Zelensky said.
Regarding sanctions against Russia, the Ukrainian head of state emphasized the importance of stopping the purchase of Russian energy resources.
“We all understand that additional pressure is needed on Putin. First of all, from the United States. And I agree with President Trump that Europe must do more. I am grateful to our European partners, but, unfortunately, some continue to buy Russian oil and gas. This is unfair. The only way to stop the killer is to deprive him of his main weapon. And energy resources for Russia are weapons,” the Ukrainian leader said.
Regarding a possible meeting with Putin , the Ukrainian head of state explained that the Russian president is putting forward unacceptable conditions and “playing his own games with the United States.”
“Putin can come to Kyiv. I can't go to Moscow when my country is under fire every day. I can't go to the capital of a terrorist state. This is obvious. And he understands this perfectly well,” the president emphasized.
“As I said, my offer remains unchanged: he can come to Kyiv. And all these conditions that he is putting forward are just a way to postpone again the meeting that we have already agreed on,” he added.
At the same time, the Ukrainian leader did not rule out the possibility of personal negotiations with the head of the Kremlin on neutral territory.
“I said directly: listen, Mr. President, I am ready for any meeting – but not in Russia. It can be a bilateral or multilateral format. We would be happy to meet,” Zelensky said.
Recall that on the night of September 7, Russia launched a massive attack on the territory of Ukraine, using 810 strike drones of various types and 13 missiles. The defense forces managed to destroy or suppress 751 targets. The Air Force reported that this was the most massive attack on Ukrainian cities since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Four people were killed and more than 44 were injured as a result of the shelling.
