We Are Not Salad or Compote for This Man: Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that reaching peace agreements about Ukraine without its involvement will not yield a desirable outcome for anyone. He made this statement during an online press conference, as reported by gordonua.com.

“I do not wish to offend anyone, but I do not want us to be on Putin's menu; we are not salad or compote for this man, despite his appetite. We see what he is like. We are an independent state, and therefore I think it is wrong to negotiate about us without us because, in that case, no one will achieve a desirable result,” Zelensky explained.

Zelensky has repeatedly stated that Kyiv considers any negotiations concerning Ukraine without its participation to be ineffective and, therefore, will not recognize agreements reached as a result of those negotiations.

On March 18, a phone call took place between the presidents of Russia and the United States. During the conversation, Vladimir Putin agreed to the idea of a mutual refusal to attack energy facilities by the Russian Federation and Ukraine for 30 days and gave corresponding orders to the military. He also guaranteed that captured Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region would receive “life and decent treatment according to Russian laws and international law.”