Zelensky says not interested in meeting with Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he is not interested in meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin for peace talks.

He said this in an interview with British TV channel Sky News, Ukrinform reports.

Zelensky noted that Putin is a "nobody" for him.

"It is not interesting for me. Not interesting to meet, not interesting to speak. [...] I really don't understand who makes decisions in Russia. […] For me, people are the number one priority. That's why I don't want to fight on Russian territory. I just want them to stop the war as quickly as possible, and leave our country as fast as possible. I can tell you for sure if they leave our territory the war will stop. That's all," he said.

When asked by journalist Kay Burley whether it is too late for negotiations, Zelensky said: "After full-scale invasion, for me he is nobody, nobody."

The president also commented on rumors about a possible new large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine. According to him, Russia is losing thousands of soldiers, but it is not ready to stop.

As speculation of a Russian surge in southern and eastern Ukraine grows, Zelensky said it is crucial for Ukrainian forces to be prepared for a possible wave of attacks.

"In the east they [the Russians] are moving forward and losing a lot of people. It's just an extraordinary number. They don't care about it. [...] But we don't have exact numbers. There are much more casualties from their side. But from what we have already seen and counted, there are thousands of people dead from their side, and they are just throwing them, and throwing them, and throwing them and throwing them," Zelensky said.

He also he was "very thankful" for the tanks but warned that the number and timing of their delivery was "critical."