'No More Conversations' With Russia if Trial of Ukrainian POWs Goes Ahead, Zelensky Says

Kyiv will cease all negotiations with the Kremlin if authorities in Donetsk proceed with a trial of Ukrainian POWs captured after the fall of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an August 21 address.

Calling the planned trial “absolutely disgusting and absurd”, Zelensky said that if it went ahead his government’s response would be “absolutely clear”.

“If this despicable show trial takes place, if our people are brought into this scenery in violation of all agreements, all international rules … this will be the line beyond which any negotiations are impossible,” the president said. “There will be no more conversations.”

Zelensky said he had spoken to other world leaders about Ukraine’s position, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“[Ukraine] will not tolerate tormenting about whom only one thing can be said: they are heroes of their homeland, they defended the freedom of their people from invaders on their land,” Zelensky said. “Even in times of war, there must be rules.”

Footage shared on Telegram earlier this month showed Russian occupying forces undertaking construction work on and around Mariupol’s Chamber Philharmonic Hall, where the trial is reportedly planned to take place. Credit: Volodymyr Zelensky via Storyful