British News Agency

Zelensky noted that in Putin's response to the idea of a ceasefire, they heard extremely predictable and manipulative statements, adding: "He is already preparing to reject it."

Zelensky emphasized that Putin is afraid to tell Trump directly that he wants to continue the war and keep killing Ukrainians, saying:

"That is why in Moscow they surround the idea of a ceasefire with preconditions that either make it fail or extend it as long as possible. Putin does this often; he does not say 'no' outright but drags out the process and makes reasonable solutions impossible. We see this as another round of Russian manipulation."

Zelensky stressed that it is Russia that complicates the process, not Ukraine.