Putin won’t dare meet Zelensky

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday she doubts Russia’s willingness to engage in peace talks with Ukraine and believes a face-to-face meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky is unlikely.

“They continue bombing Ukraine. If they really wanted peace, they could stop immediately,” Kallas told reporters on the sidelines of the Copenhagen Democracy Summit.

She noted that more than two months have passed since Ukraine agreed to an unconditional ceasefire, yet Russia has shown “no positive efforts or signs of goodwill.”

“Russia is simply playing for time, hoping it works in their favor,” she said.

Commenting on Putin’s proposal to resume direct talks in Istanbul on May 15, Kallas said a meeting between the two leaders “could be a good step” — but added, “I don’t think he [Putin] will dare to do it.”