Russia must respect Ukraine's sovereignty and integrity before talks can begin, Zelenskyy says
Zelenskyy stressed that at this stage, there are no conditions for negotiations. (Photo:REUTERS/Gleb Garanich)
Russia must start respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, before any negotiations can begin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a press event on Oct. 26.
“It is necessary to show respect in order to start any dialogue,” Zelenskyy said.
“And in order to talk about any kind of dialogue in general, it is necessary that one state respects another. Respects its territorial integrity, sovereignty and borders.”
Zelenskyy added these conditions are currently not met.
The President also called Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's desire to start a conversation with Ukraine “nothing more than a planned rhetoric that is aimed at domestic Russian audience,” and at countries that remain friendly towards Moscow.
On Oct. 4, Zelenskyy approved the decision of the National Security and Defense Council, prohibiting negotiations with Putin. Kyiv maintains it would start negotiations once Russia changes its leadership.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg later said that the success of Ukraine in potential negotiations with Russia depends on the strength of Ukrainian troops on the battlefield, so NATO will continue to help the Ukrainians.
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