Ukrainian President Rejects French President’s Proposed Ceasefire During Paris 2024 Olympics

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected the idea of a ceasefire in the war with Russia, proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron for the duration of the Paris 2024 Olympics, which will take place from July 26 to August 11. In an interview with AFP, Zelenskyy stated that they don't trust Russia, adding, "Who can guarantee that Russia will not use this time to bring its forces to our territory?" "We are against any truce that plays into the hands of the enemy." "If it's a truce, an Olympic truce for the duration of the Olympics, a land truce, they will have an advantage," he said, adding that there was "a risk that they will bring heavy equipment to our territory and no one will be able to stop them." Zelenskyy warned that Russia might intensify its attacks on Ukraine, noting that a "first wave" is currently underway in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. However, he ruled out the possibility of Moscow launching a new large-scale attack on Kyiv. He reiterated his appeals to Western countr ies to send more air defense systems and fighter jets, criticizing these countries for preventing Kyiv from using the supplied weapons to strike Russian territory. Russia claims to have made gradual progress in Kharkiv in recent months but the Ukrainian president asserted that his country will maintain its defensive lines and prevent any significant Russian breakthrough. Russia launched its "special military operation" in Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, and shows no signs of ending it, with Moscow insisting that it will continue its operations until all its objectives are achieved. Source: Qatar News Agency