Zelensky Calls on Western Leaders to Shun Contact with Putin
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has argued that engaging in dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin could lead to unforeseen negative consequences, likening it to opening Pandora's box. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized the importance of 'EU unity' in urging Western leaders to avoid engaging with Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that such communication could unleash unforeseen consequences.
In a recent interview with Sky News, Zelensky expressed his concerns that Putin's rhetoric might jeopardize the West’s solidarity in supporting Ukraine. "If we will lose this [unity], I am afraid that we can lose everything," he cautioned.
Zelensky remarked that when Putin speaks, some leaders around the globe tend to feel apprehensive. "When they are afraid, they begin to communicate with their societies… they divide their societies. Then they communicate with other leaders and divide the unity in Europe," he explained.
He asserted that this form of dialogue could lead to increased pressure from Moscow, manifested through actions like Oreshnik missile strikes or alterations to its nuclear doctrine. A recent document ratified by Russia permits a nuclear response to a conventional assault from a non-nuclear power supported by a nation possessing weapons of mass destruction.
The Ukrainian leader noted he was not taken aback by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's contact with Putin for the first time in almost two years in mid-November. Zelensky recounted that Scholz later told him he wanted to "speak and to understand what Putin is thinking about." In response, Zelensky conveyed his disapproval, stating he "cannot support this as it opens this new page – this Pandora’s box," suggesting that this could prompt other Western officials to initiate discussions with the Russian president.
Zelensky also highlighted that certain politicians are drawn to communicate with Putin for self-serving reasons, such as seeking media attention. "There are politicians who would like to communicate with the Russian president simply because they are looking to be 'on the first page of newspapers' and for 'everybody [to] speak about them that they can communicate with Putin,'" he claimed.
Putin, meanwhile, addressed his phone call with Scholz during a press conference in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, on Thursday, mentioning that their dialogue primarily revolved around Ukraine. "There was nothing unusual about it, I think, either for him, or for me. He laid out his position, I laid out mine, and each of us has remained of the same mind on this matter," he stated.
He noted, “Strange as it may seem, we stay in communication with many countries with which we have very strained relations. Indeed, I did not have direct contacts with the leaders of these countries. But I am aware that some of them are also willing to resume contacts with us, and to discuss the ongoing developments in Ukraine bilaterally and in the pan-European context.”
Putin reaffirmed his openness to communication, declaring, “We, including me, have never turned down such contacts and will never turn them down in the future. If anyone is willing to talk, they are welcome to do so.”
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
In a recent interview with Sky News, Zelensky expressed his concerns that Putin's rhetoric might jeopardize the West’s solidarity in supporting Ukraine. "If we will lose this [unity], I am afraid that we can lose everything," he cautioned.
Zelensky remarked that when Putin speaks, some leaders around the globe tend to feel apprehensive. "When they are afraid, they begin to communicate with their societies… they divide their societies. Then they communicate with other leaders and divide the unity in Europe," he explained.
He asserted that this form of dialogue could lead to increased pressure from Moscow, manifested through actions like Oreshnik missile strikes or alterations to its nuclear doctrine. A recent document ratified by Russia permits a nuclear response to a conventional assault from a non-nuclear power supported by a nation possessing weapons of mass destruction.
The Ukrainian leader noted he was not taken aback by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's contact with Putin for the first time in almost two years in mid-November. Zelensky recounted that Scholz later told him he wanted to "speak and to understand what Putin is thinking about." In response, Zelensky conveyed his disapproval, stating he "cannot support this as it opens this new page – this Pandora’s box," suggesting that this could prompt other Western officials to initiate discussions with the Russian president.
Zelensky also highlighted that certain politicians are drawn to communicate with Putin for self-serving reasons, such as seeking media attention. "There are politicians who would like to communicate with the Russian president simply because they are looking to be 'on the first page of newspapers' and for 'everybody [to] speak about them that they can communicate with Putin,'" he claimed.
Putin, meanwhile, addressed his phone call with Scholz during a press conference in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, on Thursday, mentioning that their dialogue primarily revolved around Ukraine. "There was nothing unusual about it, I think, either for him, or for me. He laid out his position, I laid out mine, and each of us has remained of the same mind on this matter," he stated.
He noted, “Strange as it may seem, we stay in communication with many countries with which we have very strained relations. Indeed, I did not have direct contacts with the leaders of these countries. But I am aware that some of them are also willing to resume contacts with us, and to discuss the ongoing developments in Ukraine bilaterally and in the pan-European context.”
Putin reaffirmed his openness to communication, declaring, “We, including me, have never turned down such contacts and will never turn them down in the future. If anyone is willing to talk, they are welcome to do so.”
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
