Putin: We want further negotiations with Ukraine. Zelanski: We are ready to meet Russia at the level of leaders

Ukraine hears Russia's statements and if they are a signal of the end of the war, and not another attempt to gain time for further fight and remove sanctions, Kiev is ready to meet at the level of leaders – said the President of Ukraine Wołodymyr Zelnski on Friday.

He emphasized that Ukraine appreciates the efforts of US President Donald Trump in favor of “ending the Russian war”, killing people and lasting peace. He also expressed gratitude to everyone in the world who support peace for peace and help protect human life.

“We hear statements from Russia – and if they are a signal of their serious readiness to end the war in a dignified manner and establishing a really lasting peace, and not just an attempt to gain time for further war and removing sanctions – Ukraine again confirms its readiness to meet at the level of leaders at any time,” said Zelanski.

He proposed that instead of Moscow statements, he would agree to organize meetings at the technical level that would lead to a conversation at the level of leaders.

“We understand who makes decisions in Russia and who should end this war. The whole world understands it. Ukraine proposes a transition from exchanging statements and meetings at the technical level to a conversation at the level of leaders. America proposed it. Ukraine supported it. It is needed by Russia's readiness,” said the President of Ukraine.

Earlier, Russian leader Vladimir Putin said that The Kremlin is ready to negotiate with Ukraine, but he noted that the conditions of the end of the war and the goals that Moscow wants to achieve remain unchanged. Putin talked about them in June last year.

He demanded then from Ukraine, among others withdrawing its troops from the partially occupied by Russia: Zaporoskie, Cherson, Donetsk and Lugansk, as well as “demilitarization and denazification” of Ukraine.

The Russian leader also wanted Ukraine to adopt the status of a state outside military alliances and to be a state without nuclear weapons. Putin also demanded that Ukraine officially renounce his aspirations for membership in NATO-reminded RBK-Ukraina.

From Kiev Jarosław Junko (PAP)