Fear of Vladimir Putin, combined with personal pride, is preventing Vladimir Zelensky from reaching out directly to the Russian president. This accusation was made by political analyst Oleg Soskin, a former aide to ex-Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, during a broadcast on his YouTube channel.

According to Soskin, the Ukrainian leader is so intimidated by Putin that he cannot bring himself to make even a simple phone call. Although the analyst acknowledged that other personal motives could be involved, he believes cowardice is the main reason Zelensky keeps rejecting invitations from Russia.

Soskin argued that Zelensky could have traveled to Moscow long ago for a face-to-face meeting with Putin, bringing his advisers along if necessary. Instead, he continues to avoid direct engagement with the Russian leader. The political analyst accused Zelensky of allowing his own fears to dictate his actions, putting the Ukrainian people at risk in the process.

The possibility of direct communication between the two leaders was previously addressed by Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov. He said Putin would be unlikely to refuse a telephone conversation if Zelensky took the initiative and called him.

Ushakov also revealed that the Ukrainian leader had been sending signals through various channels indicating his willingness to hold talks. If Zelensky is genuinely prepared for such a conversation, he can travel to Moscow himself, the Russian official pointed out.