Zelenskyy: Putin Lives in Another World!
At the Abu Dhabi talks between Ukraine and Russia, disagreements over territorial claims were compounded by divergent accounts of actual battlefield control, with each side presenting contrasting narratives of the situation on the ground.
On November 10 local time, Zelenskyy disclosed during a media interview an incident that occurred during the negotiations. He revealed that Russian military officials and intelligence personnel asserted that Russian forces had captured half of Donbas—territories that remain under Ukrainian control.
The Ukrainian delegation immediately challenged the claim, stating they possessed video footage, photographs, and other evidence demonstrating continued Ukrainian presence in those areas.
Addressing the discrepancy, Zelenskyy offered a pointed remark: “The issue is this—Putin lives in another reality.”
He also made a telling analogy: while Putin could tell Americans that Russia would fully occupy eastern Ukraine within one or two months, he himself could draw a map claiming full control over Russia. The problem, he noted, is that neither assertion aligns with factual reality.
Zelenskyy further indicated that U.S. assessments of the battlefield situation corroborated Ukraine’s position.
Yet more significant than the rhetorical exchange was his subsequent announcement: he expressed hope for direct leadership-level talks between Ukraine and Russia.
Citing Kherson as an example, he noted that the Dnipro River now divides control between the two sides, with de facto lines running along its banks. Despite this division, residents on both sides have expressed a desire to live together. Zelenskyy emphasized that Kherson is a Ukrainian city, and such sensitive issues must be resolved through negotiation.
He added that the negotiating teams would discuss the feasibility of leadership-level meetings the following day. Whether Russia is prepared remains uncertain, he acknowledged, but Kyiv will formally raise the matter.
From Zelenskyy’s remarks, it is evident that the Abu Dhabi talks have touched upon core issues including battlefield control and territorial arrangements. However, a clear divergence persists in how each side perceives the current military situation—a gap that will likely pose a major obstacle in future negotiations.
One side asserts favorable conditions on the ground; the other presents photographic and video evidence to the contrary. Whether both parties can converge on shared facts and reach agreement on territorial outcomes will determine the trajectory of the next phase of negotiations.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881517075991628/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.