t
The Ukrainian president said bridges with Russia had not yet been “destroyed”, leaving the door open for future talks.
However, he said talks could only take place if Moscow withdrew from its positions before the invasion on February 23, saying he had not been elected to lead “some kind of mini-Ukraine”.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Chatham House think tank, Vladimir Zelensky said arrangements were needed for discussions to “stop the killings” using “diplomatic channels” to reclaim territory in Ukraine.
A precondition for this would be “a return to the situation by February 23,” he said.
“They have to go back,” he added.
READ MORE
“In this situation, we will be able to start discussing things normally.”
He said that “despite the fact that all our bridges are being destroyed, I don’t think all the bridges are still destroyed,” figuratively speaking.
Despite the fact that they are destroying all our bridges, I don’t think all the bridges have been destroyed yet
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for any talks with Russia on terms that “give credence to the Kremlin’s false account of the invasion,” according to No. 10.
In a telephone conversation with Emmanuel Macron on Friday to congratulate the leader on his victory in France’s presidential election last month, Johnson commented, stressing that any final decision is for the Ukrainian government.
Mr Johnson and Mr Macron agreed to “coordinate more closely on long-term security and economic support for Ukraine”, according to a Downing Street spokeswoman, with the Prime Minister sharing his conviction that Ukraine would win, supported by with the right level of military defense assistance. “
In his address to Chatham House, the Ukrainian president also invited German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for talks in Kyiv, suggesting that the visit could take place on the annual Victory Day of Russia on May 9.
He said the move would be “a very powerful political step”.
Asked whether Ukraine was satisfied with the support it received, especially from EU countries, including Germany, and what he would say to Mr Scholz if he had the opportunity to speak to him, Mr Zelenski said: “You cannot be slightly evil and a little good.
“With your right hand you impose sanctions, with your left hand you sign Russian treaties. This is not right. That’s hypocrisy. “
He added: “I think Chancellor Scholz, for him he was invited, the invitation is open, it’s been a while. He was invited to come to Ukraine. He can take this very powerful political step to come here on May 9, in Kyiv.
“Sometimes in history we have to take certain steps for unity, even if there is some kind of coldness in specific relationships.
Western officials, meanwhile, said they had been told that Russia had made the “unusual” move not to “invite” foreign leaders to celebrate Victory Day.
Sometimes in history we have to take certain steps for unity, even if there is some coolness in specific relationships.
They said the national holiday, which usually marks the victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, could be used by Russian President Vladimir Putin to claim that attacks on Ukraine were successful.
They said there could be a big announcement, but it was unlikely to be a declaration of war or mass mobilization, which was denied by the Kremlin, as officials saw no signs of preparations for the two. .
They also said they had seen no evidence that Putin was not well, but added that they were not doctors.
In a separate briefing, asked what will happen after May 9, other Western officials said the Russian president would “inevitably” claim a “synthetic victory” – perhaps the “totem status of Mariupol”.
Add Comment