Putin unhappy with Zelensky's statement on separatists

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he is dissatisfied with a recent statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine will not talk to Russian-controlled separatists.

Putin said this at his annual Q&A session broadcast by Russian media outlets on Thursday, June 20, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"What is happening now? While abroad in Paris, he [Zelensky] said that he was not going to talk to separatists. And how then to solve this problem?" Putin said.

He said this in response to the proposal to "make the first step towards the new president of Ukraine."

Putin then accused the Ukrainian side of the fact that the economic blockade of the occupied territories of the Donbas has not been lifted. Putin also described Zelensky as a "talented man" and said that what he did during KVN humor TV shows in the 2000s was "talented and funny," but what Zelensky is doing now is "not funny."

Zelensky said at a press conference after his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on June 17 that Ukraine was not ready for a direct dialogue with separatists.

op