Zelenskyy: ‘even Hamas shows readiness for negotiations - but Putin doesn’t’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday said even Hamas had demonstrated readiness to start negotiations with Israel over the Gaza Strip, while Russian President Vladimir Putin continued to reject dialogue aimed at ending the war against Ukraine.

“Even Hamas is showing readiness to begin talks with Israel on Gaza. Putin, however, still refuses to start a dialogue to end the war against Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said.

He added that the more effective Ukraine was in pursuing its long-term strategy, the faster it would achieve peace.

“Unlike Russia, we know what we are fighting for - peace, of course. We do not wage war for the sake of war, as Russia does. Even Hamas is ready for talks, but Putin is not. Not yet,” the President stated.

Zelenskyy said that Ukraine, together with its partners, was working to create conditions that would force Russia to accept peace.

“We support all global diplomatic efforts aimed at peace in the Middle East and strongly believe that fair pressure on Russia will bring peace - both for Ukraine and for our entire region. It is important that US leadership continues,” he said.

Recently, US President Donald Trump presented a 20-point peace plan for resolving the Gaza conflict. The plan envisions the creation of an international “Peace Council” overseeing a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee responsible for Gaza’s day-to-day governance. The council will be co-chaired by Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas began on Wednesday in Egypt, with Egypt, the United States, and Qatar serving as mediators. On Thursday Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had signed the first phase of the American peace plan. According to Trump, Hamas has agreed to release all hostages and withdraw Israeli troops to agreed positions, with the final agreement set to be signed in Egypt next week.