Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced his and his delegation’s readiness to participate in peace talks with the Russians to end the war unleashed by the Kremlin, stating that such talks could take place in any country except Russia and its ally Belarus. The Ukrainian leader made this statement while responding to journalists’ questions via WhatsApp, Novyny.LIVE reports.
The president was asked to comment on rumors suggesting that a Ukrainian delegation might travel to Moscow for talks with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian leader said he had repeatedly heard that the Russian side had publicly invited him to negotiations in Moscow and responded by pointing out the impossibility of such a scenario. “We are defending our country, and Russia attacked us; they are the aggressor. I cannot go to negotiations with Putin in the capital of a state that is the aggressor in this war,” the president said.
He added that the Ukrainian side is prepared to support initiatives proposed by its American counterparts and to hold meetings in the United States, in Europe, or in neutral countries. Meetings are possible in any country except Russia and Belarus.
The president stated that the American side has proposed holding the next round of talks next week in Miami. Kyiv immediately agreed, while the Russians are still hesitating. Ukraine does not care where the talks take place — in the United States or in the United Arab Emirates — as long as there is a result, Zelenskyy emphasized.
The Ukrainian leader also said that Russia is not yet ready for an energy ceasefire. On the contrary, the aggressor state has carried out new missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky names the countries where he refuses to meet with Putin
