As the Russia-Ukraine war continues to escalate, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected French President Emmanuel Macron’s truce proposal in the ravaging conflict.
Earlier this month, the French leader along with Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a worldwide ‘Olympic truce’ as the summer international event is scheduled to take place in Paris this year. “Maybe this could be an opportunity to work toward a sustainable resolution [of conflicts] in the full respect of international law,” Macron said during a joint press conference with Xi.
However, Zelenskyy rejected the idea and claimed that Russia would use any suspension of hostilities to press its military advantage. The proclamation from the Ukrainian leader came during his interview with Agence France-Presse.
“Let’s be honest … Emmanuel, I don’t believe it,” Zelenskyy told the news agency. “Who can guarantee that Russia will not use this time to bring its forces to our territory?” he asked. “We are against any truce that plays into the hands of the enemy,” the Ukrainian leader averred.
The plan doesn’t sit well with Putin as well
Earlier this week, even Russian President Vladimir Putin made it clear that Moscow would not comply with calls for a ceasefire in Ukraine during the Summer Olympics. He highlighted the unfair treatment of Russian athletes as part of the reason for non-compliance.
“I think these Olympic principles, including the ‘Olympic truce’ are very right,” Putin said at the start of his comments on the matter. However, he added: “Today’s international sporting officials are themselves disobeying the principles of the Olympic charter."
“They are committing violations against us and demand fulfilment from us. Dear friends: we won’t get far that way. No one has ever come to an agreement that way,” the Russian leader furthered.
Not only this, Putin announced that Russia is planning to hold a rival sporting event in September after its athletes were barred from representing Russia in the Olympics and had to participate as neutrals instead.
With inputs from agencies.
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