'It’s like ping-pong': Zelenskyy explains why he doesn’t want to negotiate with Putin

He made this statement during a briefing.

Zelenskyy compared negotiations with Putin to a game of ping-pong, noting that the response from the Kremlin authorities is often unpredictable.

“It’s like ping-pong — what Putin says. You don’t always get an answer. I think, in principle, we would agree to speak not with him, but with someone who would represent Russia,” the president said.

At the same time, according to Zelenskyy, he allows for the possibility of negotiations with representatives of Russian business.

“Russia has businesses, it has many regions, including certain major business sectors. I think we would communicate with them if they have a vision to end the war, if they are ready to go against the fact that Putin does not want to end [the war],” the head of state added.

The president suggested that there may be certain opposition forces in Russia “who are afraid of Putin.” He expressed hope that opposition representatives would agree to negotiate if supported by Europe, the U.S., and Ukraine.

March 25 negotiations in Saudi Arabia and ceasefire conditions

On March 25, a new round of negotiations between the Ukrainian and American delegations took place in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Kyiv, Washington, and Moscow agreed to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a ceasefire regime concerning energy infrastructure could be introduced as early as March 25, and this issue has been coordinated with the United States. He also believes that there will be a short window of opportunity from the start of the ceasefire regime to the conclusion of a peace agreement with Russia, as the Kremlin constantly violates agreements.

On March 26, the Ukrainian General Staff denied Russian claims that Kyiv had allegedly violated the terms of the ceasefire concerning energy facilities.

Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to the Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, stated that the ceasefire regime between Ukraine and Russia regarding energy facilities was officially agreed upon in Riyadh on March 23 and 24, and that a partial 30-day truce began at that time.

U.S. President Donald Trump believes that Russia wants to "see an end" to the war in Ukraine and sign a peace agreement, but they are likely "dragging their feet."

It was also noted on March 26 that Russia’s conditions for agreeing to a ceasefire regime in the Black Sea include the lifting of European sanctions.

Later, the Ukrainian Presidential Office stated that the Russian side, during negotiations with the U.S. in Riyadh, refused to discuss stopping attacks on civilian infrastructure.