Ukraine considers Russian neutrality demand ahead of new talks

The chief spoke with Russian journalists in an interview that was posted on-line regardless of Moscow media regulator’s opposition.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke in a 90-minute interview with Russian journalists [Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Reuters]

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine is ready to debate adopting a impartial standing as a part of a peace cope with Russia, however the transfer must be assured by third events and put to a referendum.

“Safety ensures and neutrality, non-nuclear standing of our state. We're able to go for it. That is crucial level,” Zelenskyy stated whereas chatting with Russian journalists in a video name that was revealed by native media on Sunday, regardless of Moscow’s authorities warning towards publication.

The president delivered his message in Russian all through, as he has carried out in earlier speeches when addressing a Russian viewers.

He stated Russia’s invasion had brought on the destruction of Russian-speaking cities in Ukraine, and stated the harm was worse than the Russian wars in Chechnya. Ukraine was discussing using the Russian language in Ukraine in talks with Russia, however refused to debate different Russian calls for, such because the demilitarisation of Ukraine, he added.

Zelenskyy stated a peace deal wouldn't be doable with out a ceasefire and troop withdrawals. He dominated out attempting to recapture all Russian-held territory by drive, saying it might result in a 3rd world warfare, and stated he wished to succeed in a “compromise” over the jap Donbas area, held by Russian-backed forces since 2014.

Russia’s media watchdog Roskomnadzor, although, notified Russian media “of the necessity to chorus from publishing the interview” in an announcement, including that it might overview all media retailers that carried it with a view to decide “the extent of accountability and response measures”. It didn't give a cause for its warning.

A reporter from the Moscow every day Kommersant is among the many Russian journalists who've just lately spoken with Zelenskyy through video hyperlink. Journalists from the Meduza and Dozhd media retailers, whose websites are blocked in Russia, have been additionally current.

Meduza revealed the interview, which lasted about an hour and a half. The positioning might nonetheless be accessed by way of various web connections and from overseas, for instance.

The Ukrainian chief’s dialogue with the journalists comes as Russian troops’ invasion of Ukraine has entered its second month, inflicting the loss of life of greater than 1,000 civilians, based on conservative estimates by the United Nations, and forcing greater than 3.8 million individuals to flee the nation.

From French President Emmanuel Macron to Turkish President Receipt Tayyip Erdogan, worldwide gamers have repeatedly tried to mediate to discover a diplomatic answer for a ceasefire.

The newest effort got here on Sunday in a telephone dialog between Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin the place the 2 leaders agreed to a different spherical of talks between Kyiv and Moscow within the Turkish capital, Istanbul.

No dates got for the assembly, however earlier within the day, Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia stated the subsequent negotiations between the 2 events will happen in Turkey on March 28-30. A Russian negotiator confirmed that in-person talks would happen.

A first assembly between the highest Ukrainian and Russian diplomats, which befell in Turkey on March 10, didn't produce important outcomes.

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