1 of 1 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in his office during a telephone conversation on July 21, 2023 Photo: Ukrainian Presidential Office/via Portal President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in his office during a telephone conversation on July 21, 2023 2023 Photo : Advice to the Ukrainian Presidency/via Portal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday (5) that he was not “ready” to start talks with Russia unless Moscow withdraws its troops from the occupied territories.
Zelensky cited reports that senior European and American officials had spoken to his government about starting talks to end the war after a Ukrainian commander said the conflict had stalled.
The United States “knows that I am not willing to talk to terrorists because their words are worthless,” Zelensky told NBC.
“Right now we have no relationship with the Russians, and they know that is my position,” the president said. “You have to leave our territory. Only then can the world start diplomacy,” he added.
Zelensky acknowledged that the conflict, which began in February 2022 after the offensive by Russian troops, was at a “difficult” moment, but denied that it was at an impasse.
The sprawling front line has barely moved over the past year, although Ukraine launched a counteroffensive in June to recapture Russianheld territory.