Zelenskyy wants foreign troops in Ukraine as a condition for negotiations

(CLO) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has argued for a diplomatic solution to the war with Russia, including the idea of deploying foreign troops in the country until it joins the NATO military alliance.

Speaking to reporters in Kiev on December 9, Mr. Zelenskyy said: "Ukraine wants this war to end more than anyone else. There is no doubt that a diplomatic solution will save more lives. We really want that."

Mr. Zelenskyy's statements at a joint press conference with German opposition leader Friedrich Merz on December 9 showed that Kiev is increasingly open to negotiations, especially in the context of US President-elect Donald Trump preparing to take office on January 20.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: Reuters

Zelenskyy’s spokesman, Serhiy Nikiforov, later said Ukraine was preparing a meeting in December with key European allies, who along with the United States are able to guarantee maximum aid, with the aim of developing a firm stance both in negotiations and on the battlefield.

The Ukrainian leader received a strong endorsement from Mr Merz, the leading candidate in the race to become Germany's next chancellor .

In a meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris earlier, Mr Zelenskyy discussed “freezing” the lines of contact in the war. Russia has controlled nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory since the conflict broke out in 2022.

At a press conference on December 9, Mr. Zelenskyy also mentioned the idea that troops from several countries should be deployed on Ukrainian territory to ensure Ukraine's security when it does not join NATO.

Ukraine, which has fought hard to secure an invitation to join NATO, has stressed throughout the war that it needs security guarantees to prevent another conflict from breaking out after the current hostilities end.

Russia has demanded that Ukraine abandon its ambitions to join NATO, viewing Kiev's entry into the alliance as an unacceptable security threat.

The Ukrainian leader told reporters he hoped to call outgoing US President Joe Biden in the coming days to discuss NATO membership.

Hoai Phuong (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ong-zelenskyy-muon-quan-doi-nuoc-ngoai-den-ukraine-nhu-dieu-kien-dam-phan-hoa-binh-post324912.html