The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree on Tuesday which has left the window of opportunity open to talks with Russia, but also added that talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin are “impossible.”
Zelenskyy said on Friday that, “He (Putin) does not know what dignity as well as honesty are. Therefore, we are ready for talks with Moscow, but with another president of Russia.”
The decree comes following the Russian President announced that the four occupied regions of Ukraine would become part of Russia after sham elections in the nation. Both Kyiv and Western nations have condemned the move.
Ukrainian army have broken through Russian defences in the south of the country in Kherson Oblast and increased a rapid offensive in the east and recaptured the town of Lyman. Ukrainian troops are retaking areas that were seized by Russia when it invaded Ukraine in February.
Despite pressure on Russian forces on the frontline in Ukraine, the Russian upper house of the Parliament ratified a bill to annex the four regions in Russian-occupied Ukraine. The bill has already been approved by the lower house and will now be sent to President Vladimir Putin to sign and complete the illegal annexation.
Putin will turn 70 this week and has dominated Russian politics for the last two decades. Following constitutional reforms that he has overseen, he could remain in power until 2036.
