Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the emissaries of President Donald Trump, of showing disrespect towards Ukraine, the DPA agency informs on Tuesday, quoted by Agerpres.
“It is disrespectful to travel to Moscow and not come to Kiev,” Zelenskiy said in an interview with a news program on Monday.
He said he understood the difficulties involved in traveling to the war-torn country, but noted that others had also made the trip to Kiev.
Speaking about a possible visit to Kiev, Zelensky said: “We don't need it, they do.” The Ukrainian leader also stressed that the outcome of the talks, rather than where they are held, is what matters to him.
Zelensky again rejected Russia's demand that Ukraine withdraw from the eastern Lugansk and Donetsk regions.
“This would undoubtedly be a strategic defeat for us,” he said.
Zelensky says a withdrawal from Donbas would irreparably weaken Ukraine
The Kiev leader stressed that without the fortifications and defensive line developed in these Donbas regions, Ukraine would be weaker, with Zelenskiy adding that an orderly withdrawal would also weaken the morale of his army.
Zelenski said the quickest way to end the war would be through a ceasefire along the current front line.
Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's invasion with the help of the West for more than four years.
Washington has been pressuring the warring parties for months to reach a peace agreement. However, negotiations have been stalled since February due to the US war with Iran, which has distracted the White House.
Before that, Witkoff and Kushner traveled to Moscow several times for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A visit to Kiev, expected after the Orthodox Easter celebrated on April 12, would have been their first trip to the capital of Ukraine, but so far it has not taken place.
