Ukrainian President Urges "Putin, Negotiate with Me"... Calls for Talks and Requests Military Aid from the West

Request to NATO for 'No-Fly Zone' Setting
"If You Don't Have the Power to Close the Sky, Give Us Planes"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the 3rd (local time) urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet face-to-face and negotiate, calling it "the only way to stop this war."

According to the daily Guardian and others, President Zelensky said at a press conference that day, addressing President Putin, "We are not attacking Russia. We have no plans to attack," and added, "What do you want from us? Leave our land."

He demanded a direct meeting, saying, "Sit down with me (at the negotiation table)" and "Let's not sit 30 meters apart." This appears to refer to President Putin sitting at a long table during talks with French President Emmanuel Macron.

He also emphasized, "What are you (Putin) afraid of?" highlighting that despite assassination threats from Russia, he has not left the capital Kyiv (Kiyev).

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and French President Emmanuel Macron are holding talks at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow on February 7 (local time).
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

On the same day, President Zelensky also urged the Western camp to increase military aid to Ukraine. He warned that if Russia advances beyond Ukraine, the entire Europe would be threatened. Earlier, President Zelensky repeatedly requested NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) to establish a no-fly zone over Ukrainian airspace, but NATO and major world leaders have rejected this.

President Zelensky stressed that "many people have already died" and that establishing a no-fly zone would be "the most important measure." He raised his voice, saying, "If you don't have the power to close the sky, give us planes. Wouldn't that be fair?" He added, "If we no longer exist, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia will be next. Please believe this."

In the early days of the invasion last month, Russian forces refrained from indiscriminate airstrikes targeting civilians, but recently they have been bombing civilians and civilian facilities. In Chernihiv, a key transportation hub northeast of the capital Kyiv, at least 22 people were confirmed dead due to bombs falling on schools and residential houses from Russian airstrikes that day.

Major foreign media reported that Mariupol, a strategic stronghold on the Sea of Azov in Ukraine, was surrounded by Russian forces that day. Earlier, Russian forces had occupied the southern stronghold of Kherson.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.