Oleksij Makejew, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany, believes that Russian President Putin has no interest in negotiations. “We in Ukraine and the West know very well that Russia is essentially lying on an industrial scale” Makejew said during an interview on RTL Direkt on Thursday evening. “And my President was in Turkey today in Ankara, with the whole team, with the head of the presidential administration, the foreign minister, the defense minister, all representatives of Ukrainian intelligence agencies. This shows our willingness for serious talks because we want peace” the diplomat explained. “My President is there. Where is the Russian leader?”
Makejew further stated that the Russian negotiating delegation has no decision-making power: “We know exactly who makes decisions in Russia and that a third or fourth-tier delegation from Russia came to Turkey today is another sign. They don’t want to negotiate.”
He positively evaluated the European initiative, saying, “It was very important that last weekend Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Starmer, President Macron and Prime Minister Tusk visited Ukraine.” The Ambassador believes that more pressure from the West is needed. “We need the United States at the table. Stronger sanctions, further arms deliveries.” With this pressure, he believes that Russia can be forced to the negotiating table.