Zelensky open to peace talks with Putin despite past decree
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, for the first time since the full-scale war in Ukraine, has stated his readiness to sit down opposite Vladimir Putin. "I am prepared to sit across from Putin at the negotiating table if it is the only option for achieving peace," he said.
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Zelensky's statement was made during an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan.
- If achieving peace and preserving human lives requires sitting at the same table with Putin during negotiations, then we will certainly take such a step - said President Zelensky.
It should be recalled that in autumn 2022, Zelensky issued a decree prohibiting Ukrainian politicians—except Volodymyr Zelensky—from negotiating with Putin.
So far, the President of Ukraine has not expressed an intention to revoke this decree.
Zelensky added that since the beginning of the full-scale war with Russia, 45,000 people have died, and 390,000 have been injured.
The Ukrainian president also expressed his openness to holding presidential elections, emphasising that they cannot take place during martial law.
Zelensky admitted that "the current support provided by partners is not sufficient to completely drive Russia out of the occupied territories of Ukraine."
- Unfortunately, the support we receive from our partners is not sufficient for us to completely push Putin from our land. However, we will reclaim our territories – it could be a mixed approach: part militarily on the battlefield, as our soldiers are doing, and part through diplomatic means. But in any case, we will reclaim our land because we are in the right and have not violated any aspect of international law or moral law – Zelensky said.
In the same interview, the President of Ukraine mentioned that "Western partners should provide nuclear weapons to Ukraine if it is not admitted to NATO."
Zelensky noted that Ukraine's entry into NATO may drag on "for years or decades," raising the question of what will protect it "from this evil all that time."
- What support package, what missiles? In that case, let them give us nuclear weapons – he said.
