Ukraine says it will only negotiate with Russia if the US and Europe participate.

(CLO) President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to enter negotiations to end its nearly three-year war with Russia, but stressed that the United States and Europe must also be present in any negotiations.

In an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, Mr. Zelenskyy affirmed that if meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin at the negotiating table is the only way to bring peace , then Ukraine will accept it, as long as the US and Europe are involved.

Mr Zelenskyy has insisted that the withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukraine is a precondition, but has recently spoken of the need for negotiations to reach a "fair" solution.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: Facebook/zelenskyy.official

Russia, after months of gains in eastern Ukraine, said it was too early to consider four-way talks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov continued to label Mr Zelenskyy “illegitimate” because he remained in power after his term ended.

President Putin has repeatedly dismissed Mr Zelenskyy's role in the negotiations, arguing that he no longer has legitimacy after his term ends in May 2024.

However, Ukraine insists that elections cannot be held under martial law. Mr Zelenskyy said: "How will soldiers in the trenches vote? What about Ukrainians in the occupied territories? What about the 8 million people who have fled the country?"

The US and Russia have been in contact over Ukraine, but no direct contact has taken place, according to a Russian diplomat . Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, stressed last week that Washington wants Ukraine to hold elections by the end of the year, especially if Kiev can reach a ceasefire agreement with Moscow.

Hoai Phuong (according to TASS, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ukraine-noi-chi-dam-phan-voi-nga-neu-co-my-va-chau-au-tham-gia-post333066.html