"Russians enjoy disrespecting Europe": Zelenskyy on Macron's ideas and Kallas' demands
Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin during the Normandy format summit in December 2019 (Photo: LUDOVIC MARIN/EPA)

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is skeptical about possible separate negotiations between Europe and Russia. The head of state said this during a conversation with journalists.

Zelenskyy reported on communication with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron: "We discussed the details of our meetings in Abu Dhabi with the Russians, as well as with the American side. And he briefed me on the meetings of his advisor Bonn in Russia".

Read also
What will happen to Europe without NATO. Four scenarios of life without the US umbrella

The president added that they agreed to talk about this "more substantively" during the Munich Security Conference on February 13-15.

"I told [Macron] that, in my opinion, it is necessary to build not just a dialog with the Russians, but pressure. We need to have arguments in hand to put pressure on the Russians. Otherwise, they will simply treat Europe without respect. And it seems to me that they enjoy it," Zelenskyy added.

The day before, the head of the European Union's diplomacy Kaja Kallas said that she would propose a list of concessions that the bloc should demand from Russia. In particular, the official mentioned the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia and restrictions on the Russian Armed Forces.

In this regard, Zelenskyy said that "something is probably being worked out," but added that he did not know the details.

"We are grateful to the EU for having such a firm position that there should definitely be a return of Ukrainian children," the president added.

Read also
Peace plan. Russians may use the "family reunification" clause against Ukraine – explanation

At the same time, he said that this was the first time he had heard of the demand to reduce the Russian army, recalling that Moscow wanted the same from Ukraine.

"I believe that this is the sovereign right of every state. Of course, we would like to see a smaller army in Russia, but I don't think Europe can influence this. Unfortunately. It is so far," the head of state said.

He also said that as of today, Russia will use separate negotiations with Europe to humiliate it.

According to Zelenskyy, the United States and Europe should work together, exclusively with Ukraine, as issues are being raised that concern Kyiv alone.

Only Moscow will benefit from the fact that America and Europe are dealing with Russia separately, and the partners are "definitely stronger together," the Ukrainian leader concluded.

  • During the same communication with the media, the head of state denied the information on plans to announce elections and a referendum in Ukraine on February 24.
  • The president also considers it possible to end hostilities in the Russian war by the summer of 2026, if Washington puts pressure on Moscow, agreements on security guarantees and the reconstruction of Ukraine are reached, and the issue of Ukraine's Donbas region is resolved in the peace plan.