Instead of demonstrating readiness for peace negotiations, Russia is directing forces to key hot spots on the battlefield in Ukraine. Apparently, Russian troops are preparing for a larger offensive.
This is reported by the Financial Times newspaper, citing Ukrainian intelligence officials.
It is noted that according to the Ukrainian monitoring project DeepState, this week Russian troops have seized more territory in the eastern part of Donetsk region, especially around the cities of Pokrovsk and Toretsk.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday that he wants to negotiate an unconditional 30-day ceasefire face-to-face with Vladimir Putin during talks in Istanbul on Thursday, as only the Russian president can introduce such a pause, Reuters reported.
Accusing Putin of being "afraid" of meeting with him, Zelensky said he expects "strong sanctions" by the US and the European Union if the talks do not take place, stressing that an unsuccessful meeting would show that Russia is not ready for diplomacy, BTA reported.
The Ukrainian president told journalists that since "absolutely everything in Russia" depends on Putin, the only way to achieve a ceasefire and end the war is through direct negotiations with him.
"If he takes the step and says that he is ready for a ceasefire, this will open the way for discussing all the elements of ending the war," he stressed.
"I'm not even mentioning that he is afraid of direct talks with me," Zelensky said, adding that he would first meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara and then head to Istanbul if Putin arrives there.