Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the peace talks with Russia during an interview with CNN that aired Tuesday, saying "we'll see" when asked whether talks were potentially a waste of time.
Why it matters: The war entered its sixth day Tuesday, as Russian forces intensified their bombing campaign on Ukrainian cities.
- The first round of peace talks concluded on Monday with no breakthroughs.
What they're saying: "You have to speak first of all. Everybody has to stop fighting and to go [back] to that point from where it began five, six days ago," Zelensky said.
- "I think there are principal things you can do. ... If you do this, and that side does this, it means they are ready for peace. If they [are not] ready, it means you're just wasting time."
- "It's very serious, it's not a movie. ... I'm not iconic, I think Ukraine is iconic," Zelensky said of his transformation into a lauded wartime leader.
- "Ukraine is the heart of Europe, and now I think Europe sees Ukraine is something special for this world," he added. "That's why [the] world can't lose this something special."
- Zelensky also told CNN that he hadn't seen his family in three days and that his days consisted of "work and sleep."