Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's ambiguous response to a ceasefire proposal as "very manipulative", AFP reports.
"Now we have all heard from Russia Putin's very predictable, very manipulative words in response to the idea of a ceasefire," Zelensky said in his evening address.
On March 13, in his first public comments on the 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States and backed by Ukraine, Putin said he supported it but had "serious questions" about how it would work.
Washington has urged Russia to accept a ceasefire without preconditions, but Putin listed a number of obstacles along the way.
"We don't put conditions that complicate anything. That's what Russia is doing. As we have always said, the only one who will drag things out, the only one who will be unconstructive, is Russia," Zelensky said.
Zelensky accused Putin of "actually preparing a denial," but said he was "afraid to tell President Trump directly that he wants to continue this war."
He also added that Putin is "formulating the idea of a ceasefire with such preconditions that nothing will happen at all or for as long as possible."
In his March 13 comments, Putin expressed concern that Ukraine would use the ceasefire to its military advantage, and said Russia wants to move forward as its forces advance.
He also expressed doubt about how the ceasefire would be monitored on a front line thousands of kilometres long.
"Putin often does this - he doesn't directly say no, but he does it in such a way that in practice it just delays everything and makes normal solutions impossible. We think all this is just another Russian manipulation," Zelensky said.
He added that the US side had said it was "ready to organise monitoring and verification" of the ceasefire.
"It is possible to ensure this with American capabilities, European capabilities. And to prepare answers to all the questions about long-term security and real, credible peace during the ceasefire and to put on the table a plan to end the war," Zelensky added. | BGNES