"I did not ban anything": Zelensky replied if he could negotiate with Putin (video)

According to the President, the decision was made, because then a number of people in Ukraine were handed him to ultimatums from Russia, that is, communicated with the enemy side bypassing the president. “It began as Mr. Medvedchuk's people, including Novinsky, represented Putin's interests, speaking directly with me by the phone at the most difficult moment when we were in the blockade. They talked about how to take Ukraine, how and where I need to run, otherwise I will not, my family, etc.

There were a lot of such ultimatums when someone represented the interests of Russia, namely Putin, and gave appropriate signals. So, all these people communicated with Putin and very much wanted to represent the interests of Ukraine, ”said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Head of State states that the NSDC's decision emphasized what the Constitution of Ukraine states: the President represents the state in international relations, manages the foreign policy activities of the state, negotiates and concludes international treaties of Ukraine. “It is I can fulfill this mission and no one but me can negotiate on the sovereignty, territorial integrity of Ukraine, our course with the leader of Russia and other countries. These are my rights and obligations.

Therefore, the narrative that I have to cancel something there is a narrative exclusively of the Russian Federation. I cannot forbid myself and forbade anything, ”Zelensky said. We will remind that on May 11 the President of the Russian Federation declared his readiness to start direct negotiations with Ukraine. Then he declared a meeting in Istanbul on Thursday on May 15.

Later, US President Donald Trump urged Ukraine to immediately agree with the Russian Federation in Istanbul without waiting for the ceasefire. The adviser to the chairman of the Presidential Office Mikhail Podolyak noted that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Istanbul will not talk to someone except Putin. In general, he questioned that the meeting would take place. On May 13, it became known that the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin does not plan a visit to Turkey.