Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennet, as part of mediation efforts between Moscow and Kiev, conveyed to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky the demands of Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposing “to accept the Kremlin’s proposals in order to avoid further bloodshed.”
According to the Haaretz newspaper and the Walla website, the demands of the Russian head of state include such items as Ukraine’s recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, autonomy status for Donetsk and Luhansk, and Kyiv’s commitment not to join NATO by amending the Constitution.
A senior Ukrainian official told Israeli media that Bennett urged Zelensky to accept Putin’s offer: “If I were you, I would think about the life of my people and accept the offer.”
In response, the Ukrainian head of state told Bennett that he “understood him.”
“Bennett suggested that we surrender. We have no such intention. We know that Putin’s proposal is just the beginning,” Walla quoted a Ukrainian official as saying.
Zelensky complained that he was not satisfied with Bennett’s mediation efforts, that the transfer of a message between the two sides would not be considered mediation, the Israeli leader did not come up with a solution, the official said.
On the night of February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of a special military operation in the Ukrainian Donbas. Following this, the Russian army attacked Ukraine.
Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, were subjected to missile and bomb attacks.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said in response that martial law was introduced throughout the country.
The Ukrainian leader also announced a break in diplomatic relations with Russia.
The Kremlin’s actions were condemned at the UN and in most capitals of the world.
Tough sanctions have been imposed on Russia.