Ukrainian President speaks out about the possibility of concessions and negotiations with Russia

Tổng thống Ukraine lên tiếng về khả năng nhượng bộ, đàm phán với Nga - 1 — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Photo: Getty).

Pravda reported on November 4 that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied information that Ukraine's allies and partners were pressuring his government to negotiate with Russia.

"Everyone knows my position as well as that of the Ukrainian people. Right now no one is pressuring me. That happened only before and at the beginning of the conflict. However, now, no American or European Union leader is pressuring me," Mr. Zelensky said.

"There will never be a situation where we sit down to negotiate and make concessions to Russia," the Ukrainian leader added.

The statement was made after NBC news quoted an unnamed US official as saying that US and European leaders "are quietly talking to Ukraine about potential negotiations with Russia to end the conflict." According to NBC, some discussions took place last month.

“These talks included very broad outlines of what Ukraine might need to give up to reach a deal,” the source said.

NBC commented that this shows the concerns of Western allies and partners that the Russia-Ukraine conflict is falling into a stalemate, as well as concerns about their ability to continue to aid Ukraine.

In a recent interview with the Economist, Ukraine’s Chief of the General Staff, Valery Zaluzhny, said that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia had stalled along a broad frontline and that no major breakthroughs were imminent. He predicted that the conflict could drag on for years.

However, Mr. Zelensky has denied this comment.

"It's not a stalemate. Russia has air superiority and we are protecting our forces. We need to coordinate with our allies to get more air defense equipment, end Russia's control of the skies, give our soldiers the opportunity to conduct counter-offensive operations," President Zelensky said.

He cited the example of last year, when everyone thought the war was at a stalemate, Ukraine made great strides in its counter-offensive in Kharkiv, taking the region back from Russia.

Deputy Chief of Staff of the President of Ukraine, Mr. Igor Zhovkva, also said that Mr. Zaluzhny should not have said this because it could cause concern among Western aid donors.

Ukraine's counter-offensive has lasted more than five months. Officials admit the pace of the counter-offensive has been slower than expected, but Kiev has made steady progress. Ukraine has called on the West to step up aid to support the counter-offensive.

Meanwhile, Russia says Western countries have grown tired of providing aid to Ukraine as the war drags on.

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