Zelensky: If there is no meeting with Putin, we expect new sanctions against Russia

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: Getty images.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that if Russian leader Vladimir Putin refuses to meet, the US sanctions pressure on Russia should be increased.

He said this during a conversation with journalists, according to NikVesti with reference to «Ukrinform».

«We expect sanctions if there is no meeting of the leaders, or if there is no ceasefire, for example. In other words, it depends on the willingness of the parties. We support this idea. You know this, it's not a secret. If the war continues and there is no movement towards peace, we expect sanctions,» Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The Head of State noted that he planned to raise this topic during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, which will take place next week in New York.

«President Trump expects strong steps from Europe. I have said my opinion: I think we are wasting a lot of time if we wait and do not impose sanctions or do not take some steps that we really expect him to take. Of course, we support the whole of Europe imposing sanctions and tightening tariff policies against countries that buy energy from Russia. But to impose all of this is to slow down the pressure on Putin,» the President of Ukraine stressed.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also emphasised that he was ready for talks with the Russian president.

«We are ready to meet with Putin. I have spoken about this. Both bilateral and trilateral. He is not ready,»the head of state said.

Earlier, NikVesti reported that the US Special Representative believes that Ukraine will have to recognise the occupation of some of its territories.