In a recent press conference following his meeting with senators, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made it abundantly clear where he stands on dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to NBCnews when asked by reporters if he had a message for Putin, Zelenskyy's response was terse and unequivocal: "I'm not speaking with him."
This isn't the first instance where Zelenskyy has avoided communication with Russian officials. Just yesterday, he attended a United Nations Security Council meeting in New York City and used the platform to label Russia as a "terrorist state." He argued that Russia's actions pose a significant threat to international peace and stability.
Zelenskyy didn't stop there. He also called on the United Nations to strip Russia of its veto power, a move that would be virtually impossible given the current structure of the U.N. charter. The veto power held by Russia, as one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, has long been a point of contention, especially in matters concerning international conflicts.
Meanwhile, Putin was conspicuously absent from the annual U.N. summit. Instead, he was wrapping up a meeting with another authoritarian leader, North Korea's Kim Jong Un. The meeting is speculated to be a strategic move aimed at bolstering Russia's dwindling military supplies. As international sanctions tighten around Russia, alliances with nations like North Korea could offer alternative avenues for resources.
As tensions continue to escalate, Zelenskyy's "no talk" policy towards Putin marks a significant moment in the unfolding drama between Ukraine and Russia. It remains to be seen how this will affect future diplomatic efforts, but for now, Zelenskyy has made his position crystal clear: dialogue with Putin is off the table.
