Zelensky responded saying Putin was afraid
of negotiations and accused him of prolonging the conflict using “cynial
tricks”. US President Trump wanted them to end the war; Trump has threatened sanctions on Russia stating that Ukraine is
ready for the negotiation talks to broker a "deal".
"If
(Zelensky) wants to participate in the negotiations, I will allocate people to
take part," Putin said, calling the
Ukrainian leader "illegitimate" because his presidential term expired
during martial law.
"If
there is a desire to negotiate and find a compromise, let anyone lead the
negotiations there... Naturally, we will strive for what suits us, what
corresponds to our interests," he added.
Putin claims fighting would end if support were cut
down for Ukraine
Putin said that the fighting would come to an end
if the West cut its support for Ukraine.
"They will not exist for a month if the money and, in a broad
sense, the bullets run out. Everything would be over in a month and a half or
two," Putin said in comments to a state TV reporter.
Russia's military on Tuesday said that the forces
had seized a large village in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region.
The Russian defence ministry said its forces had
"liberated" the Dvorichna village which was home to a population of
over 3,000 before the war.