No great desire to negotiate after atrocities by Russia, but it must be done - Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that after evidence emerged of atrocities carried out by the Russian military, he has no great desire to hold talks with Russia, but they are necessary to save the people.

He said this in an interview with Turkey's Habertürk television channel, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"After what we saw, frankly speaking, there is no great desire to negotiate with the Russian Federation, because we understand who we are dealing with," Zelensky said.

At the same time, he noted that regardless of the desire, steps must be taken every day to save as many people as possible.

"In any case, we must find even small opportunities for the negotiation process. Without this, I think it is difficult to end the war," he said.

In this context, Zelensky emphasized the importance of the mediation mission of certain leaders, including Turkey.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops have been shelling and destroying critical infrastructure and residential areas of Ukrainian cities, towns and villages using artillery, multiple rocket launchers and ballistic missiles.