Territorial issues should be addressed at meeting with Putin – Zelensky

The Ukrainian President said this in an interview with the German broadcaster ARD.

According to Zelensky, the military component of the trilateral talks between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia has been constructive.

“As for the military part of the negotiations, thanks to the Americans I consider the meeting constructive. They proposed their involvement in monitoring the ceasefire. And now we are at the stage where all parties to this triangular format have accepted it,” the President said.

He specified that Ukraine and Russia would conduct monitoring on their respective sides, while “the United States will assume leadership,” adding that it would be desirable to involve European countries as well.

“It would be desirable for Europeans to join as well, because they have the appropriate technical capabilities. This would certainly be useful. The Russians are still opposed to Europeans in all areas,” Zelensky noted.

At the same time, he said that the political dimension of the negotiations is more complicated.

“In short, it’s the territorial issue. It has not been accepted. We have different views,” the President stated.

He emphasized that the Russian side insists on its demands and “wants Donbas.”

“Our technical groups are trying to find compromise solutions proposed by the Americans – taking into account our views and with respect for Ukraine. The Russians have their own position. Russia wants Donbas. Russia wants Donbas. Period. Although this is not necessarily the end. Yes, the Russians want Donbas. But if you give them a finger, they will take the whole hand. That is the Russian approach,” Zelenskyy said.

The President stressed that any compromise must be acceptable to Ukrainian society and the military and must be accompanied by security guarantees.

In his view, “it is logical that if territorial issues cannot be resolved at the group level – and they have not been resolved so far – they should be moved to the level of a meeting with Putin.” Zelensky added that he considers such a meeting “the only way or the only chance to reach an agreement on territorial issues.”

He also confirmed that preparatory consultations are ongoing for the next round of talks, which could take place in Geneva within seven to ten days, and said that a prisoner exchange is also being discussed.

“My message to Putin is very simple: I am ready for a meeting. We need to end the war,” Zelensky concluded.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov earlier stated that the Ukrainian delegation had raised the issue of a meeting between Presidents Zelensky and Putin during trilateral talks in Geneva. No final response from Russia has yet been received.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine