Vladimir Trifonov to FACT: Putin deliberately does not seek a meeting with Zelensky (VIDEO)

In general, as expected, the meeting in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine did not lead to any significant changes and agreements that could end the conflict. The main issues discussed were issues related to the humanitarian sphere - the exchange of prisoners, the exchange of children who ended up in Ukraine or Russia due to some combination of circumstances. Some guidelines for possible future meetings and talks were outlined, but fundamental differences remain between Russia and Ukraine in how they see the end of the conflict. He announced this to Lili Marinkova in the studio “FACT“ and the program “Conversation“ political scientist Vladimir Trifonov.

„Russia insists on preserving the areas it annexed after a referendum, and Ukraine wants to preserve its territorial integrity as it was in 1991, when it declared independence. An important point is also that Ukraine should not have large military forces to threaten Russia, not allow NATO to arm its territory, guarantee the rights to speak Russian, and respect all the rights of Russian-speaking citizens,“ the guest also shared.

„Ukraine wants a meeting between leaders Zelensky and Putin, but the Russian side has no desire. The Russians have clearly said that a Putin-Zelensky meeting is possible when all things are clarified, the conflict is ended, and the issue is about signing central agreements, which will put an end to the conflict. Putin is deliberately not seeking a meeting with Zelensky, because the Ukrainian president is a good actor and can put on a show for anyone. We saw how he did this in the White House with Trump. However, Putin will not allow Zelensky to behave with him the way the Ukrainian president behaved with Trump in the White House,“ the political scientist added.

See more of the conversation in the VIDEO.