Putin disputes bombardment of residential zones in Ukraine
Hit the Table Only When the Deal's Sealed: Putin's Conditional Meeting Invite to Zelensky
In a bit of diplomatic Dance, Vladimir Putin has hinted at a potential sit-down with Volodymyr Zelensky, but under one condition - the final stages of peace negotiations. Just days ago, a missile strike in Kiev claimed 28 lives, and our Ukrainian Prez paid a visit to the Solomianskyi district to honor the fallen victims, witnessed firsthand the consequences of Putin's troops' actions.
Zelensky kept mum during his visit, but a message on Telegram summed it up: "This blast proves that Russia doesn't seek peace, as it continues to shed blood." The statement came after Putin proposed a face-to-face conversation, but with a catch - the meeting would only happen once the negotiation table is set for the final act.
Putin: Zelensky's Presidency Legitimacy in Question
In a chat with foreign journos, Putin raised yet another eyebrow-raiser, expressing doubts over Zelensky's legal standing. He suggested that if Trump were still in the White House in 2022, the war in Ukraine might've been avoided. As we head towards a new NATO summit, Putin claimed that Russia has no qualms if NATO boosts defense spending for the Atlantic Alliance.
Meanwhile, prisoners from both sides have been swapped, with the latest exchange happening on Thursday. But distrust and conditions persist, standing as major hurdles in the path of negotiations.
The Dirty Game of Peace Talks
Ukraine accuses Russia of deliberately derailing peace talks to prolong the conflict, while Russia maintains hardline stances that suggest no signs of softening. Putin has made it clear that any peace agreement must be signed by "legitimate authorities," casting a shadow of doubt on Zelensky's ability to sign it due to martial law and term limit concerns. Ukraine has called these claims propaganda. As we wait for direct talks to resume, Moscow continues its military operations, and both sides show little sign of bending. It seems we're in for a long, drawn-out game, and only time will tell if the Globe sees light at the end of the tunnel.
Politics and general news have become intertwined as the war-and-conflicts in Ukraine persist, with leaders like Putin and Zelensky engaging in diplomatic dance, each with their conditions for a potential meeting. Putin's doubts over Zelensky's legal standing add a complicating factor to the politics involved in the negotiations, as both sides continue to show little sign of bending, leading to a long, drawn-out game in the search for peace.
