Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called today for a “tough reaction“ from the international community if the talks with Russia in Istanbul fail, Agence France-Presse reported, quoted by BTA.
“If it turns out that the Russian delegation is there only for presence and cannot achieve any results today, then everyone will have to react“, said the Ukrainian leader from Tirana, where he arrived to participate in the summit of the European Political Community.
“There must be a tough reaction, including sanctions“, he added, expressing regret that Russian President Vladimir Putin was “scared“ to visit Turkey.
Earlier today, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had made a “huge mistake“ by sending a low-level delegation to talks with Ukraine in Istanbul.
"Putin made a mistake by sending a low-level delegation. He knows very well that the ball is in his court, that there are problems and that he has made a huge mistake, and all the pressure is now on him," Rutte said before the start of the European Political Community (EPC) summit.
Vladimir Putin proposed direct talks between the two countries earlier this week. Challenged by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to travel “personally“ to Istanbul to negotiate with him, however, the Russian president did not react to the gauntlet thrown down and did not go to the talks in Turkey, AFP reports.