Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stressed that it remains impossible to negotiate the end of the war with Russia because it has failed to formulate any adequate positions, Zelensky said at the panel discussion during the annual meeting of the Yalta European Strategy.
"We want to end the war, but (our) circumstances and capabilities have changed. (Our people do) not want to negotiate with terrorists. Although one can communicate even with terrorists, because at least they know what they want," the President added on Saturday.
Zelensky emphasised that there is no confidence that the Russian side will keep any of the promises it makes, Ukrainska Pravda reported.
"I think they won't. No one believes (that they will). You wouldn't want to make deals with them," he said.
The President added that before diplomatic negotiations with the Russian Federation become possible, the Russian army has to withdraw from Ukraine and Russia has to "stop behaving like a terrorist".
Also Read | Ukrainian army liberate two more villages in Kharkiv Oblast: Zelensky
"In order for us to open a channel of diplomatic communication with (Russia), (Russian leaders) must demonstrate their political will, (they must demonstrate) that they are ready to give back the land that's not theirs. Then we can begin to discuss avenues that might open up certain diplomatic measures," Zelensky said.
Zelensky addresses all leaders who push Ukraine into Russia's 'inappropriate embrace'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stressed that Ukraine can see the path to regaining control of all its occupied territories more clearly now than ever before, and added that it cannot stop now, President said at the annual meeting of the Yalta European Strategy.
"The path to the return of our entire territory is right here (ahead of us) and it becomes clearer every day. We can see the contours of the restoration of the territorial integrity of our state. We know that it is a difficult path, but we know that it is possible to travel this difficult path, and we are (already) doing it, " Zelensky added.
Also Read | Russian officials summoned by police after calling for President Putin's impeachment
"We cannot afford to stop. This is my main message to anyone out there who is contemplating anything like that. To those leaders who are pushing (Ukraine) (in that direction), into (Russia's) inappropriate embrace. No, we cannot afford to stop."
He said that while the country's path to regaining control of all of its territory will be "difficult", the next phase of the war -- the one that he expects to unfold in the coming winter -- might be decisive, Ukrainska Pravda reported.
