Emmanuel Macron called for a truce between Ukraine and Russia during the Olympic Games, which will take place between July 26 and August 11 in Paris. The French president was struck by the refusal of Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, who made the decision to continue the war.
Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky do not see the possibility of a truce. AP photo
The Russian dictator justified his decision by saying that Russian athletes are prohibited from participating under their flag and are not given the anthem. “International sports officials are today violating the principles of the Olympic Charter with regard to Russia, preventing our athletes from participating in the Olympic Games under their flag, with their national anthem, but they want us to follow the rules they impose on us. To ask something from others, you have to respect the rules yourself”said the president of Russia, quoted by news.ro.
Ukraine fears that Russia will take advantage
On the other hand, Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, declared that a ceasefire, even temporarily, was impossible.
“I told him: “Emmanuel, we don't believe it. Let's imagine for a second that there is a ceasefire. First of all, we do not trust Vladimir Putin. Second, he will not withdraw his troops. Thirdly, tell me Emmanuel, who guarantees that Russia will not take advantage of this to bring its troops into our territory?''said the president of Ukraine.
“We are not against an armistice, we are not against ending the war. But we want a fair end to this war. And we are against a truce that would make the enemy's game.” concluded Zelensky.
