'Don't Need Historical S**t': Zelenskyy Sets Tone For Peace Talks With Putin

Last Updated:February 19, 2026, 12:47 IST

Zelenskyy criticised use of history as a delay tactic, emphasising that what matters is the violence on the battlefield and the urgent need for a resolution.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took aim at Russian President Vladimir Putin, insisting that any negotiations must leave historical debates behind and focus squarely on ending the war.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskyy wrote, “I don’t need historical shit to end this war and move to diplomacy." He criticised the use of history and cultural narratives as a delay tactic, emphasising that what matters is the violence on the battlefield and the urgent need for a resolution.

While noting that he has read as many history books as Putin, Zelenskyy stressed that his understanding of Russia comes from personal experience. “

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“I know more about his country than he knows about Ukraine. Simply because I have been to Russia – to many cities. And I knew a lot of people there," he wrote, adding, “He has never been to Ukraine this many times. He was only in big cities. I went to small cities. From the northern part to the southern part. Everywhere. I know their mentality."

“That’s why I don’t want to lose time on all these things. It’s about them. They decided to have such a system. The Russians decided to change themselves. The Russians decided that they needed a new Tsar. It’s up to them," Zelenskyy continued.

Zelenskyy stressed that the focus of any potential talks must be pragmatic and results-oriented.

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“There is security. There is a big war waged against us. This is our lives," he said, asserting, “The only thing that I want to speak about with him is that I think that we need to resolve it in the most successful way. I mean to end this war quickly. That is why I want to speak only about such things."

The Russia–Ukraine war, which erupted in its current phase following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has become one of Europe’s most destructive conflicts in decades. Deep disagreements remain over territorial control, security guarantees and sovereignty, while previous peace talks have repeatedly stalled amid accusations of inflexibility from both sides.

News world 'Don't Need Historical S**t': Zelenskyy Sets Tone For Peace Talks With Putin

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