Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a remarkable statement when he admitted that he had "squeezed" Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding that Putin had similar feelings. The statement came shortly after Zelensky and US President Donald Trump's meeting at the White House.
I think Mr. Putin hates me, Zelensky told reporters in Washington. When asked if he felt the same way, the Ukrainian leader replied: "It would be strange if I thought differently about the person who was trying to kill all of us. I have the same feelings for that man.
At the same press conference, Mr Zelensky expressed his support for Mr Trump's call for an immediate ceasefire along the current front line. However, he declined to disclose whether the US would approve the transfer of Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles to Kiev, saying only we need to continue working on this issue.
On the Russian side, President Putin said he was ready to meet Mr. Zelensky, but only at the final stage of the negotiations process, when a peace treaty was ready to be signed. However, Mr. Putin expressed doubts about the legality of the Kiev government, as Mr. Zelensky's 5-year term expired in 2024, but he did not hold new elections due to martial law.
Moscow officials have said that in order for a ceasefire to be effected, Ukraine must withdraw troops from Russian-controlled territories, and the West must end military aid to Kiev.
President Putin also asked Ukraine to recognize Russia's new borders and abandon plans to join NATO.
