Zelenskyy: Russia may propose new level of talks to delay leaders' meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia will do everything possible to prevent a meeting at the leaders' level between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, including by proposing talks at the advisers' or ministers' level, Report informs via Censor.NET

Speaking at a briefing, Zelenskyy noted that Russia is considering how such a meeting might take place but will try to ensure it does not happen.

According to him, Russia will seek to demonstrate "constructive" behavior in talks with the United States to delay sanctions and other pressure on the Russian Federation. In his view, Moscow may propose holding talks not at the leaders' level but at the level of advisers or ministers.

"They may propose a new level, but for what? I believe this is an artificial postponement of the leaders" meeting, because they want to show the United States of America that they, the Russians, are constructive. But they are not constructive, unfortunately," the president added.

Zelenskyy also said Russia wants to find formats to delay the imposition of sanctions.

According to the Ukrainian media outlets, Zelenskyy also pointed out that Ukraine in turn wants the implementation of secondary sanctions against Russia, because this could be a blow to the Russian economy.

"Partners are a bit hesitant, of course, they still want to maintain some diplomatic connection with the Russians. Therefore, the Russians will do everything to avoid meeting. In my opinion, they have achieved something, because they had a meeting in the United States," the president added.