Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for direct talks with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. “If you don’t want to leave Ukraine (with your troops), sit down with me at the negotiating table, I have time,” Zelensky told reporters on Thursday.

“But not 30 meters apart like (French President Emmanuel) Macron, with (Chancellor Olaf) Scholz – I’m a neighbor,” Zelensky said. “I don’t bite. I’m a normal guy. Sit with me, tell me what you’re afraid of,” said the 44-year-old.

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Zelensky called on NATO to again impose a no-fly zone on Ukraine. “If you don’t want to close the skies now, give a deadline,” he said. “Tell me, how many people must fly in the air, how many arms, legs, heads do you need to reach?” A no-fly zone is ruled out because it would lead to a direct confrontation between NATO troops and Russian armed forces.

Russia attacked neighboring Ukraine a week ago. Zelensky said that he does not understand Moscow’s demands on Kyiv. “We didn’t attack Russia, we don’t want to attack it,” the president said. “We in NATO? No. Do we have nuclear weapons? No.” Russia is calling on Ukraine to demilitarize and give up NATO membership, accusing the country of wanting to build nuclear weapons. ,DPA,