Zelensky says peace talks with Russia difficult, but progress already seen
The talks with Russia to end the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine are rather difficult, but some progress has been made, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address on March 23.
Zelensky said that Ukraine continues to work daily at various levels to ensure that Russia stops its full-scale invasion.
"Ukrainian representatives are working in negotiations that, in fact, are taking place every day. Is it hard? Very hard, … but we are moving forward step by step."
The Ukrainian president has also thanked all international mediators who "fight for Ukraine, for Europe, for the truth, to bring the real picture to Moscow and encourage a realistic look at what is happening in the battles."
Negotiations to end Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine are being held between the two countries at the level of delegations. The sides have so far met three times on Belarusian territory, after which negotiations have continued via video conference.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the chief-of-staff of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said that the position of the aggressor country in the negotiations had recently softened.
He said that a meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian leaders, Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin, respectively, could be organized in a few weeks.
Podolyak added that the presidents could meet as soon as the Ukrainian and Russian delegations finish the paperwork.
Representatives of the Ukrainian President's Office in turn emphasize that Ukraine will not agree to any Russian ultimatums and will not make concessions on key issues during the talks.
According to Andriy Yermak, head of the President's Office of Ukraine, the Ukrainian side wants to be provided with clear security guarantees. He said that many foreign partners had already agreed to act as guarantors.
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