The Kremlin said on Thursday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s calls for public negotiations with Russia show that he’s not serious about pursuing diplomacy.
“Public negotiations are hard to imagine in the first place. No talks can be held publicly, let alone negotiations in such a field. One thing is clear: Ukraine does not want to engage in talks, the special military operation marches on and its goals must be achieved,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to TASS.
Peskov was responding to comments Zelensky made a day earlier. The Ukrainian leader said that he received “signals” from his Western backers that Russian President Vladimir Putin desires direct negotiations with Kyiv. Zelensky said he proposed a public format because “Russia is waging a public war.”
Zelensky’s comments came after he met with CIA Director William Burns, who visited Kyiv after holding talks in Ankara with Russia’s spy chief. There’s no indication that Burns spoke with Zelensky about possible negotiations, and the US insists the CIA chief did not discuss Ukraine with his Russian counterpart.
The only time peace talks between Russia and Ukraine had any hope was back in late March and early April. Ukraine and Russia held in-person talks in Istanbul, followed by virtual sessions. The two sides reportedly tentatively agreed on the outlines of a deal, but it was discouraged by the West.
In April, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Kyiv and urged Zelensky not to negotiate. According to a report in Ukrainian media, he told Zelensky even if Ukraine was ready to sign a deal with Moscow, the “collective West” was not.
What is clear is that Zelensky is being used. The question is, by whom? His sponsor Kolmoisky has long ago vanished from the scene. He was the one who came up with the idea of making him President. But once in office, everything changed, as if his (Zelensky’s) handers themselves had changed. So who is in charge? The Ukra-nazis? Or the CIA? It is probably the former. These are the hidden leaders of Ukraine, the most hard-core ruthless anti-Russians that exist anywhere. They told Zelensky that it was in his “interest” to take orders from them. The CIA plays a secondary role. But the Ukra-nazis have to be polite with the USA since it is the source of all their power. It is these Ukra-nazis that are making Zelensky dance to their tune. And what can he do, but follow orders. Probably Zelensky is not even able to flee. He is under 24/7 close surveillance. He should have accepted the US invitation to lead a government in exile. But somehow he missed this opportunity. Or was not allowed to take it. Meantime, the show must go on.
I could care less what happens to Zelensky. He was dumb enough to think he could ride the Azov tiger.
Victoria Nuland is Ukrainian.
Public negotiations would present Zelensky with yet another press opportunity to paint Russia as the villain. But he’d better be careful. The only reason he gets away with it is that the other side of the story is never heard. He could very easily lose that advantage if the meetings were to be broadcast live.
Duane, I’m nearly choking with laughter imaging the Cokehead of Kiev debating the well-spoken Putin in a public forum.
On the other hand it might put to rest any sympathy/ support from Amerikkkans.
Well, after all, TV is his profession. Probably he’d appear in his GI underwear and 5 day face hair asking Putin why he ordered his soldiers to rape Ukrainian women. Gloria Allred and daughter Lisa would instantly offer their services. The NYT would do a Pulitzer nominated series and Congressional hearings begun, and the sequestered Russian billions ordered by Pres. Biden used to compensate victims.
yes he would get his turn and everyone would see him stamping his feet and shaking his fists. then it would be russia’s turn to speak.
I can’t tell if you actually know anything about how Putin presents himself in public. So I’m including a link to recent press conference.
Thanks for proving my point, Duane!
And Putin was speaking from his brain, not a teleprompter!
I actually find the language quite beautiful.
And we get Biden, Pelosi and Schumer……. Talk about the short end of the stick.
Nothing is decided in public, people make speeches in public. All the public display of Congress or Parliament are theatre. The Papal Conclave to elect the pope is upfront honesty in spite of the criticism it gets.
What does that even mean, “public negotiations?” That they would be televised live, and streamed on line in real time? Wouldn’t that be more of a debate, rather than a negotiating session? Surely, the Ukrainian regime has had more than ample opportunity already to present its case to the UN, to other governments, on media and social media, and to the world generally. Why does it need yet another “public forum?” This is just one more cheap, bad faith, PR motivated, full of crap ploy by the dishonest Zelensky regime. “Public negotiations” indeed!
Nothing is truly negotiated in public, only speeches are made..
Zelensky is an idiot. It doesn’t really go beyond that, AFAIC. And Biden is no longer on my radar. He’s useless. If he runs again, I’ll write in a vote for him for president of Columbia.
Or Cambodia 😉
All I know is that the U.S. always wants negotiations to be kept secret. Wondery why?
yea, like i said, a grandiose fantasy of his ‘day in court’ where – before the whole world! – he’ll face putin down
like something out of a bad tv show
Z will talk peace only when his puppet masters allow it.
“Demand for Public Talks Shows He’s Not Serious”
a grandiose fantasy of ‘his day in world court’ – actually laughable, ‘cept for the daily deaths and amputations of young men, which makes his stupid, grandstanding hijinks tragically funny
still, its the US that’s the real man behind the curtain here – its ‘weapons only’ position what keeps body bag, coffin, and prosthetics business humming.
Agent Z still has some shelf life until he doesn’t. So far he has broken couple of ketchup bottles.