Zelensky Urges Stronger Sanctions as Putin Uses Negotiations to Delay War Pressure

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky expressed the view that Vladimir Putin is using negotiations as a means to avoid harsh sanctions that could be imposed on Russia. In his interview with the German publication Bild, he emphasized that it is important for the Kremlin to demonstrate to U.S. President Donald Trump the existence of a “diplomatic bridge” between Ukraine and Russia.

“Why? So that sanctions are not imposed on Russia while negotiations are ongoing. Because Putin can always say: ‘We are talking to each other! If sanctions are imposed, then there will be no more negotiations'”

Zelensky also noted that the United States must strengthen sanctions to force Putin to stop the war. He believes that the American leader is aware of the insincerity of the Russian side in these negotiations.

“President Trump sees that the Russian side is not entirely open and honest about the war. I think Russia is simply lying to Trump”

The head of state is convinced that Putin is unable to withstand a prolonged war and sanctions pressure, but the slow implementation of sanctions has given him the opportunity to adapt to the situation.

“This gave Putin a chance to adapt. Putin feels that his economy is suffering now, but he wants to buy more time before harsh sanctions are imposed, because he can hold out for some time”

Zelensky called for the urgent introduction of tough sanctions, emphasizing that the more support Ukrainians receive, the fewer lives will be lost.

“People are not firewood that we throw into the fire. We do not treat our people the way the Russians do”

Memorandums of Ukraine and Russia

On June 1, the text of a memorandum was made public, which the Ukrainian delegation handed over to the Russian side during negotiations in Istanbul on June 2. The document contains provisions on a ceasefire, monitoring the truce, and the necessity of a meeting between Presidents Zelensky and Putin.

The memorandum also calls for the unconditional return by Russia of all deported and displaced Ukrainian children, the exchange of prisoners, and the release of civilian detainees starting from February 2014.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov reported that this document was handed to the head of the Russian negotiation delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, as early as May 28.

On June 2, during the second round of negotiations in Istanbul, the Russian side presented Ukraine with its own memorandum containing conditions that allegedly would end the war. Moscow demands the withdrawal of Ukrainian Armed Forces from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, recognition of these regions as Russian, Ukraine’s neutral status, and the cessation of arms supplies to Kyiv.

President Zelensky described this document as an “ultimatum.”

Second Round of Negotiations in Istanbul

On June 2, the Ukrainian and Russian delegations, mediated by Turkey, held the second round of negotiations, which lasted over an hour. Following the meeting, Defense Minister and head of the Ukrainian delegation Rustem Umerov announced agreements on prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of 6,000 bodies of fallen soldiers.

The Russian side handed Ukraine its “memorandum” outlining its vision for a peaceful settlement and conditions for a ceasefire. Kyiv took a week to analyze it, after which the parties plan to coordinate further steps.

Umerov proposed holding the next round of negotiations between June 20 and 30.

At the same time, Ukraine’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsya reported that the Russian side refused to agree to an unconditional ceasefire and a meeting between Presidents Zelensky and Putin.