This week was a real chance to take important steps before the end of the war if Putin was not scared to come to Turkey - Volodymyr Zelenskyy

This week, there was a real chance to take important steps before the end of the war, if only Vladimir Putin was not frightened to come to Turkey. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated this during a speech at the plenary session of the sixth summit of the European political community in Tiran (Albania). The head of state stressed that he was ready to meet with Vladimir Putin in Ankar or Istanbul and to resolve all important issues.

But instead, a Russian delegation arrived in Turkey, which does not contain any person who makes decisions in Russia. Nevertheless, the President of Ukraine sent a Ukrainian team headed by the Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov to find out to find out whether the Russians are able to solve something. “Our number one priority is a complete, unconditional and honest ceasefire. This should happen immediately to stop the murder and create a solid basis for diplomacy.

If Russian representatives in Istanbul today do not be able to agree even to it - to the ceasefire, this obvious and necessary first step - then it will become one hundred percent: Putin continues to undermine diplomacy, ”Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The President emphasized that in case of refusal of the Russian delegation to support the unconditional ceasefire, the world should increase the pressure on the Russian Federation.

“A rigid reaction is needed, including sanctions against the energy sector of Russia and its banks. The pressure should increase until real progress is made, ”the head of state said. Volodymyr Zelensky noted that Ukraine is ready to take all realistic steps for the end of the war, and called on Vladimir Putin to give his delegation real powers.