Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to sit down for negotiations.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Zelenskyy said, “What do you want from us? Please leave our land. If you don’t want to leave now, sit down at the table of negotiations. I am free.”
He continued, “Sit down, but not 30 meters away, like with Macron or Scholz. I’m your neighbor. I don’t need to be 30 meters away. I don’t bite. I’m a normal guy, sit down with me and talk. What are you afraid of?”
Watch the video below:
Zelenskyy to Putin: "Please leave our land. If you don't want to leave now, sit down at the table of negotiations. I am free. Sit down, but not 30 meters away, like with Macron or Scholz. I'm your neighbor … I don't bite … Sit down with me and talk. What are you afraid of?" pic.twitter.com/POc3HqXmiK
— The Recount (@therecount) March 3, 2022
The Ukrainian president’s comment about being “30 meters away” is a reference to the treatment French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz received when they traveled to meet with Putin ahead of the invasion.
Pictures surfaced of the two leaders’ meetings with Putin. In each case, they were seated across a very large table from the Russian leader:
Observers were struck by images of Macron and Putin sitting at opposite ends of 4-meter-long table during their talks, with some diplomats and others suggesting Putin might be wanting to send a diplomatic message 3/5 pic.twitter.com/nAtb1TkFBb
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 11, 2022
Scholz gets the long-table treatment from Putin at the Kremlin. (Can't tell if the table is longer than it was for Macron) pic.twitter.com/oy2MmfVSnU
— Mike Eckel (@Mike_Eckel) February 15, 2022
After the invasion began, other pictures showed Putin meeting with Cabinet members and advisers, which also featured long tables.
Naturally Putin was sitting a healthy 15 feet away from Shoigu and Gerasimov at the end of a ridiculously long table when he told them to get the nukes out pic.twitter.com/xmNUn21Aa1
— max seddon (@maxseddon) February 27, 2022
The use of the long tables is reportedly due to Putin’s concerns about COVID-19 and for social distancing purposes.
Zelenskyy’s comments come a week after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.
Putin claimed the purpose of the invasion was “for the demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine.” However, there is no evidence that Nazi views are widespread in Ukraine, and Zelenskyy is Jewish.
As a stronger than expected resistance has reportedly frustrated Russia, it has ramped up its assault on Ukraine and has bombed civilian areas. The strikes have hit a hospital and broadcasting tower, and damaged a Holocaust memorial.
Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor for the international criminal court (ICC), announced he would investigate possible war crimes committed by Russia.
At least 1 million people have fled the country in the face of Russia’s attack.