Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke by telephone today with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, in light of Israel's mediation efforts to end the Russian-Ukrainian war. This is the fourth time the two leaders have spoken since Bennett visited Moscow to discuss ending the war on Saturday.
Following the conversation, Zelensky wrote on his Twitter account: "I spoke with Naftali Bennett. I thanked Israel for its mediation efforts. We discussed ways to end the war and violence."
Zelensky has expressed his readiness to discuss the pro-Russian provinces in the east of the country and the status of the Crimean peninsula which was annexed by Russia. In an interview with ABC he said: "I am ready for dialogue, we are not ready for surrender. We can talk and find a compromise about these territories in which we live."
Zelensky called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold a direct dialogue. "President Putin needs to start talking, open dialogue, instead of living in an air bubble of information."
A source in the US administration said at noon that the US is expected to ban the import of Russian oil, but President Joe Biden has not yet made a final decision on the issue..