Berlin, Mar. 8, (dpa/GNA) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his willingness to hold talks on the status of the separatist regions in the east of the country and the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea annexed by Russia.
On the US broadcaster ABC on Monday evening, Zelensky made it clear at the same time that he would not give in to demands from Moscow to recognize the independence of the self-proclaimed “people’s republics” as well as Russian rule over Crimea.
“I am ready for a dialogue – we are not ready for capitulation,” he said. “We can discuss and find a compromise on how these territories will live on.”
He said it was important to pay attention to how the people there who wanted to be part of Ukraine were doing. It is a much more complicated issue than just recognition.
“This is another ultimatum, and we are not prepared for ultimatums,” he said.
Zelensky again called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate directly. “What needs to be done is for President Putin to start talking, start the dialogue, instead of living in the information bubble without oxygen.”
GNA