Zelensky accused Russia of using negotiations to end the war in Ukraine as a way of “weakening sanctions” against Moscow and promised to release evidence of his accusations.
“Ukrainian intelligence services will share with their partners the information we have about Russia’s true intentions and its attempts to use diplomatic work as a pretext to weaken sanctions,” he said.
Zelensky’s doubts about Putin’s intentions were corroborated by the prime ministers of Finland, Petteri Orpo, and Sweden, Ulf Kristersson.
“We appreciate the fact that so many countries want peace, including the United States and countries in Europe and Asia, but we doubt Russia’s ambitions in this regard, so we will have to wait for the outcome of today’s meetings in Moscow to assess Russia’s true intentions,” Kristersson said at a joint press conference between the two government officials.
According to the Swedish Prime Minister, the big question now is whether Russia is prepared to conduct serious peace talks, because – in his opinion – Moscow has shown no interest in this to date.
Kristersson further stressed that what is really important for Europe are not the conditions that Russia demands for a peace agreement, but rather those that Ukraine finds acceptable.
Russia is the target of heavy sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union in response to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and annexation of territories.
The sanctions aim to weaken the Russian economy and its ability to finance war, covering areas such as finance, energy, trade, transport and technology.
Coinciding with Witkoff’s trip to Moscow, the Ukrainian president is in Ireland today to continue his visits to European countries that helped sustain his country’s fight against the Russian invasion.
Peace negotiations have followed parallel lines, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meeting with Ukrainian authorities and special envoy Witkoff with Moscow.