"Ukraine isn't a salad or a compote on Putin's menu"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has once again warned against any agreement on Ukraine without Ukraine, amid closer ties between Washington and Moscow.

Commenting on Vladimir Putin's attempts to include the war with Ukraine in a broader range of issues discussed with the American side, such as problems in the Middle East, Volodymyr Zelensky responded: "A broader range of issues is needed to exclude Ukraine as much as possible from this process. Indeed, the parties have a wide range of topics to discuss, and that's understandable. The United States is an independent state... they can discuss anything. It seems to me that it's about their bilateral relations, even though, of course, they also impact our situation, primarily on the war in Ukraine. And that's why I wouldn't want... I have talked about it quite frankly with the American side. With all due respect, I don't want to offend anyone, but I don't want us to be on Putin's 'menu'. Do you understand? We're neither salad nor a compote for this person, despite his appetite," Volodymyr Zelensky stressed.

Volodymyr Zelensky also emphasised that Ukraine is an independent state.

"It's not desirable to negotiate without us because the desired outcome will not be achieved," he stressed.

(MH with FM - Source: X - Photo: ©DPA - Ukraine Presidency)