President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected the compromise offered to Russia by President Vladimir Putin in the aftermath of billionaire oligarch Aleksey Prigozhin’s death.
The Ukrainian leader, in a statement published by his office on Monday, said he believed Putin initiated the deal for “personal political reasons” which “would not lead to a sustainable peace in Ukraine.”
The deal proposed in July by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov would have seen the two countries enter into a “prisoner swap,” granting the release of prisoners on both sides. Russia has accused Kiev of holding political prisoners and of impeding the activities of Russian businesses in Ukraine.
Prigozhin, an associate of Putin and tycoon dubbed “Putin’s chef” for the catering business he used to front for Kremlin-backed events, died on July 9 in Moscow. Putin had visited Prigozhin in hospital prior to his death.
Details of the proposed deal have not been made public, but it appears that Prigozhin’s death could have complicated the deal. Zelensky argued that Prigozhin’s death was an emergency and could not be counted on for Ukraine’s benefit.
He therefore dismissed the compromise, stating: “The way I see these ‘offers’ and ‘live’, there is now no chance of reaching a fair solution where both parties are treated with respect.”
This is not the first time that President Zelensky has rejected such offers from Russia, as he has continually sought to demonstrate his policy of non-engagement with Moscow. He believes that the best way to resolve the conflict in Ukraine is to increase diplomatic pressure on the Russian president.
As the conflict between the two countries drags on, it appears that Putin’s compromise offer has been snubbed for good.