The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasized the impossibility of holding a meeting with the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, in Moscow, in response to the proposal from the Russian side. He noted that such a format is unacceptable for Ukraine.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Zelensky’s statement on negotiations with Putin
“Certainly, it is impossible for me to meet with Putin in Moscow. It is the same as meeting with Putin in Kyiv. I can also invite him to Kyiv; let him come. I publicly invite him, if he dares, of course”
According to Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine is serious about the issue of ending the war, and any real format of negotiations between leaders can be considered. At the same time, he emphasized that he does not know what results such negotiations might achieve, but he is confident that they would bring more benefits than the current situation.
Context of negotiations and Kyiv’s position
The President stressed that he is open to any effective format for ending the war; however, he ruled out holding negotiations in Moscow or Belarus. He justified this by stating that Russia is an aggressor state that started and is conducting a war against Ukraine, while Belarus acts as a partner of Russia in these actions.
Earlier, Andriy Sibiga, Deputy Head of the President’s Office, reported that Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to personally discuss with Vladimir Putin the issues of control over Ukrainian territories and the operation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
In response, the Kremlin stated that a meeting could take place in Moscow. Meanwhile, on January 23-24, trilateral negotiations involving the USA, Ukraine, and Russia, mediated by Washington, took place in Abu Dhabi, where key security issues, including the situation in Donbas, were discussed.
On January 25 in Vilnius, Zelensky emphasized that Kyiv’s official position on territorial integrity remains unchanged, and all parties in the negotiation process must be ready for compromises. He also reported that bilateral security guarantees from the USA are already “100% ready,” and Ukraine is awaiting the signing of the relevant documents.
The next round of negotiations is reportedly scheduled for February 1 in Abu Dhabi.