Ukraine declares no territorial concessions, sets out conditions for negotiations with Russia

In an interview with Reuters news agency on February 21, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, affirmed that Kiev’s position on the conflict with Russia has become increasingly uncompromising, and the concession Ministry will only backfire on Ukraine as Moscow will respond more strongly after any skirmish.

“The conflict will not stop (after any concessions), but only pause at some point,” Mr. Podolyak said. “Then, with new intensity, Russia will accumulate weapons and manpower and correct their mistakes, modernize their forces, fire many generals … And they will start an offensive. new on a larger and more devastating scale”.

The adviser to the President of Ukraine also rejected “unusual” calls from the West for an emergency ceasefire involving Russian forces remaining in the territories they control in the south and west. east of Ukraine. “Russian forces must leave Ukraine, then peace negotiations can be resumed,” Podolyak stressed.

Also on February 21, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the conflict with Russia will still cause bloodshed and many fighting, but it can only be ended “through diplomacy”.

In an interview with Ukraine 24 news agency, Mr. Zelensky affirmed that negotiations between Ukraine and Russia will definitely take place, but it is not clear what form the two sides will negotiate – with or without an intermediary. broader group, or just at the presidential level.

However, the Ukrainian leader stated that the outcome of the negotiations with Russia must be “fair” for Ukraine, and reiterated the prerequisite for Kiev to continue sitting at the negotiating table that Moscow does not cause harm. against Ukrainian soldiers still entrenched inside the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. “The most important thing for me is to save as many civilians and soldiers as possible,” Zelensky said.

Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said Moscow would “respond positively” if Ukraine agreed to resume peace talks.

“The negotiation process was not interrupted by us. It was stalled by the partners on the Ukrainian side. As soon as they expressed their goodwill to return to the negotiating table, we will respond positively,” the deputy minister said. Rudenko said on May 19, according to the TASS news agency. “The main thing is to have something to discuss.”

Ukraine and Russia have not held any face-to-face talks since March 29. The two sides repeatedly blamed each other for freezing the peace talks.

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