Zelensky Conditions Peace Negotiations with Russia: Frontline Is the Only Starting Point
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a clear and firm statement regarding the prerequisites for initiating negotiations with Russia.
He emphasized that any diplomatic talks must commence solely from the current frontline, which now acts as a de facto boundary between the conflicting parties.
Zelensky stressed that discussions on territorial issues are impossible while Russia shows no real intent to change the situation on the ground or to reach peaceful agreements.The head of state stated that negotiations with the Kremlin can only occur within the framework of trilateral meetings involving Ukraine, the USA, and Russia.
He highlighted the importance of direct, face-to-face talks with Vladimir Putin specifically on territorial matters— and these should only happen during such meetings.
At the same time, Zelensky expressed doubts that Russia would be ready for such a meeting in the near future, citing Russia’s inability to achieve success in Donetsk over the past 12 years of war.He identified the Ukrainian constitution, which prohibits concessions regarding territories and land sales, as the main barrier to peace negotiations.
The president believes that issues concerning the return of occupied territories and borders can only be discussed between the leaders of the two countries, either in trilateral or bilateral formats.Zelensky also noted that Russia currently shows no signs of readiness for serious negotiations, prompting the possibility of new sanctions as additional pressure to bring Moscow to the negotiating table.
He called for a ceasefire as a preliminary condition for any agreements and emphasized that achieving peace quickly is only possible if hostilities are stopped.
“We must work swiftly towards concluding a final agreement, and this will be discussed in Washington,” he concluded.