Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) speaking to Rudaw and other outlets next to top European Council President Charles Michel (L) ahead of European Council Summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels on June 27, 2024.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied that his country is in communication with Russia amid growing international calls for dialogue between Zelensky and his Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin.
“I do not have any dialogue with them … in any way. I did not have any [indirect talks] during this period of time,” Zelensky told Rudaw in a press conference in Brussels where he is negotiating with the European Union for Ukraine’s membership.
Zelensky also blasted Putin for his invasion of Ukrainian lands over the past two years.
“This war, Putin brought to us. There are no questions on who is the aggressor,” he stressed, adding that he is seeking to hold talks openly and not “in the shadows.”
Zelensky is in Brussels to meet with the European Council and to sign security agreements with European countries to “enshrine the commitment of all 27 Member States to provide Ukraine with extensive support, regardless of any internal institutional changes,” he said in a post on X.
Ukraine has signed bilateral support agreements with many Western countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and France.
Zelensky labelled Kyiv’s membership negotiations with the EU as “historic” on Tuesday, saying he is committed to “all chapters” of relations with the EU that would lead to Ukraine’s official membership status.
His remarks came after an International Criminal Court (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants for Russian former Defense Minister Sergei Shiogu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.
Ukraine’s military prowess has lagged behind Russia’s in recent months, with Moscow’s offensive picking up pace and seizing villages in the east.
Two years into the invasion, Russian missile and drone strikes have crippled Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and compelled Kyiv to import power from the EU and ration its electricity.
Zinar Shino contributed to this report from Brussels
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