Zelensky: Putin doesn’t want ceasefire while Ukrainian forces are in Kursk region

This was said by President Zelensky during an online briefing, according to Ukrinform.

“He (Putin – ed.) doesn’t want even a single one of our soldiers in Kursk region. He doesn’t want a ceasefire while our forces are on the territory of Kursk region,” emphasized Zelensky.

He also noted that Putin does not want a ceasefire because he “is not in a weak position.”

According to Zelensky, a ceasefire can be achieved through increased international pressure on Russia, but a “ceasefire for years” would create a frozen conflict.

“I believe that if it’s a ceasefire for years, then it’s a frozen conflict. And I believe that would not be the end of the war. It would be a constant frozen conflict. We wouldn’t know when the next explosion would happen, and the war would come again,” Zelensky said.

According to him, a ceasefire should be the first step towards starting peace negotiations.

As reported by Ukrinform, on March 18, U.S. President Donald Trump had a phone conversation with Russian leader Putin.

Trump’s administration stated that the Russian side agreed to a limited ceasefire on energy and infrastructure facilities in Ukraine as part of an initiative proposed by the U.S. to establish peace in Ukraine.

On March 19, during communication with the media alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Zelensky stated that Russia, which had carried out attacks on Ukraine’s energy and civilian infrastructure immediately after the announcement of the agreement between Trump and Putin to cease corresponding airstrikes, cannot be trusted.

Photo: President’s Office