Zelensky Calls Putin’s 72-Hour Truce Pledge ‘Manipulation’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s pledge of a 72-hour truce in certain areas of Ukraine as “manipulation” and a mere publicity stunt. The announcement came as the two leaders met for peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey, aimed at de-escalating tensions in the region.
Putin’s offer of a temporary ceasefire in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, where Russian-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for years, was met with skepticism by Zelensky. The Ukrainian president accused Putin of using the ceasefire as a ploy to gain international support and deflect attention from Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine.
Zelensky emphasized that any ceasefire agreement must be permanent and comprehensive, encompassing all areas of conflict in eastern Ukraine. He also called for the withdrawal of Russian troops and the return of control over the border to Ukrainian authorities.
The conflict in eastern Ukraine has been ongoing since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatist forces in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The war has claimed over 14,000 lives and displaced millions of people, creating a humanitarian crisis in the region.
Despite the ongoing violence, both Zelensky and Putin expressed a willingness to find a peaceful solution to the conflict during their talks in Istanbul. The two leaders agreed to continue negotiations and work towards a lasting ceasefire and a resolution to the crisis.
The international community has welcomed the talks between Ukraine and Russia, with many hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The United States and European Union have both expressed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling on Russia to respect international law and end its aggression in the region.
As the situation in Ukraine continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Putin’s ceasefire offer will lead to a lasting peace or if it is indeed just a manipulation, as Zelensky has claimed. One thing is clear – the people of Ukraine deserve peace and stability, and it is up to their leaders to work towards that goal.