© EPA / SERGEY DOLZHENKO The President affirmed his willingness to convene with Putin, excluding Russian or Belarusian territory.
Ukraine is willing to take diplomatic actions to resolve the conflict with Russia, but solely based on the existing circumstances, and it will not relinquish any territories, stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during discussions with reporters on October 27.
“Our approach to diplomacy is solely from our current standing. We will not retreat in any way or relinquish this or that portion of our nation,” RBC-Ukraine cites the president’s words.
Zelensky underscored his readiness to meet with Vladimir Putin, granted that such a meeting yields a favorable outcome for Ukraine and aids in ending the war, stipulating that the meeting must not occur on Russian or Belarusian soil. He also voiced his belief that the Russian head of state will exert every effort to avoid a meeting with him.
“Putin will spare no effort to dodge a meeting with me. He isn’t necessarily interested in a Russia-Ukraine accord. Or perhaps he just intends to scorn us, proclaiming, ‘Who are you? I will decide matters independently.’ Frankly, the format in which we conclude the war holds little importance to me. However, we cannot achieve it without our involvement,” the president remarked.
He further conveyed that a determination regarding Russian assets situated abroad could represent a political triumph in itself, but it wouldn’t deter Putin.
It is worth mentioning that following his previous encounter with Zelensky and a discussion with Putin, Donald Trump suggested that Ukraine and Russia should “ halt in their tracks ” and “declare victory.” Zelensky concurred that peace talks should commence along the present demarcation line.
Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov subsequently conveyed that Russia's stance on a cessation of hostilities along the existing contact line remains unaltered. Lavrov, in turn, stated that advocating for a ceasefire without addressing the “fundamental reasons for the dispute” ran contrary to the supposed understanding reached by the US and Russian leaders in Anchorage.
