Ukraine’s President Blazes In On ‘Non-Existent’ Istanbul Agreements
In a recent press conference in Brussels, following his participation in the EU leaders’ summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky clarified Russia’s overtures for peace talks, dismissing them as figments of President Vladimir Putin’s imagination.
Responding to Putin’s recent declaration that Russia is prepared to engage in negotiations with Ukraine, sans preconditions, but respecting current battlefield realities and adhering to the so-called ‘Istanbul agreements,’ Zelensky was taken aback. "I’m rather surprised by his statement, given he constantly maintains that I’m illegitimate," the Ukrainian leader said.
Zelensky dismissed the ‘Istanbul agreements’ as a myth, stating, "They never existed. There were only ultimatums from Russia at the onset of the occupation in 2022." These ‘ultimatums’ were alleged deals proposed through various intermediaries, including meetings in Belarus and Turkey, none of which Ukraine agreed to.
The Ukrainian President went on to scorn Putin’s demands for ‘de-nazification’ and ‘de-militarization’, refuting the Russian leader’s claims of being the world’s top anti-fascist. "Putin, who’s the actual fascist here, wants to eliminate our armed forces and make us subservient to Russia. He’s just an old fantasist, living in his own bubble," Zelensky remarked.
Last December, Putin had outlined conditions for peace, insisting on signing a treaty with Ukraine’s parliamentary speaker, as he considered Zelensky ‘illegitimate.’ The ‘Istanbul agreements’ were a contentious point, with Russia venerating the ceasefire plans while Ukraine dismissed them.
Putin’s grandiose demands for a ‘neutralized’ Ukraine, abandoning NATO aspirations and nuclear ambitions, are still incorporated in the remaining draft of a would-be peace treaty. However, Zelensky’s maintaining stance seems clear: Ukraine will not concede territory, sovereignty, or democratic principles in any ‘agreements’.
