Zelensky called for penalties if inappropriate negotiations with the Russian Federation were not effective

If the Russian delegation in Istanbul is not able to negotiate negotiations for the welfare of the ceasefire, then the world must respond with sanctions against the Russian Federation. This is said by the President of the Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky at the peak of the political community in Europe at a oppressive Friday, May 16.

“If it turns out that the Russian delegation is just a theater, then the world must react, there must be a strong reaction, including penalties against the energy sector and Russian banks … It is necessary to continue to increase pressure until the real development is reached,” said the head of the state.

According to Zelensky, Ukraine is ready to take all the realistic steps to end the war, a little confidence can be built by the exchange of war prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children.

“Ukraine is ready to take all the realistic steps to end the war. We need a complete stop of killings to provide a real chance of diplomacy,” the President said.

Second, according to Zelensky, it should be at least a minimum level of trust. “We need to develop at least a minimum level of confidence in the negotiation process. This can be done by exchanging war inmates, by the return of Ukrainian children brought to Russia, and by the return of Russian civil prisoners,” the state leader emphasized.

Remember, on Friday, May 16, Ukraine and Russia began the first direct negotiation in Istanbul for three years. Ukraine is represented by the Minister of Defense Rustem UMM, the first deputy head of the Foreign Ministry, SBU, GUR and other officials.

The Russian delegation was led by the assistant to the head of Kremlin Vladimir Medinsky. It also includes representatives of the leaders of the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Defense, the head of the main director of the General Staff.