Zelensky open to ‘genuine’ talks with Moscow

A senior adviser to Zelensky said Ukraine had never refused to negotiate with Russia and was ready for talks with its future leader but not with Vladimir Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was open to talks with Russia, but only “genuine” negotiations that would restore Ukraine’s borders, grant it compensation for Russian attacks and punish those responsible for war crimes. 

A senior adviser to Zelensky said Ukraine had never refused to negotiate with Russia and was ready for talks with its future leader but not with Vladimir Putin. The comments by Mykhailo Podolyak followed a Washington Post report saying the Biden administration was privately encouraging Ukraine’s leaders to signal an openness to negotiate.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has been engaged in confidential talks with senior Russian officials aimed at lowering the risk of a broader war over Ukraine, a source said. The secretary of Ukraine’s Security Council said on Tuesday the “main condition” for the resumption of negotiations with Russia would be the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. 

The official, Oleksiy Danilov, said on Twitter that Ukraine also needed the “guarantee” of modern air defences, aircraft, tanks and long-range missiles. Russia and United States are discussing holding talks on strategic nuclear weapons for the first time since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine, Russian newspaper Kommersant said on Tuesday, citing four sources.

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