Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said he would be willing to accept a halt to fighting on the current frontline as part of a possible ceasefire deal with Russia, describing it as the fastest way to end armed clashes.
Zelenskiy says a truce with Russia could pave the way for negotiations. PHOTO: AFP
In an interview with Sky News, Zelenski was asked if he would accept a possible ceasefire based on the current positions of the two armies.
“Yes. It's the fastest way,” the Ukrainian leader told Sky News, Kyiv Post notes.
However, he specified that he does not see such an agreement as a definitive solution, but as the beginning of a diplomatic process that would provide guarantees that the war would not start again.
“We want to stop the war so that it doesn't return. It's not just about stopping the fighting, it's about moving the conflict into a diplomatic framework,” Zelenskiy said.
The Ukrainian president also rejected the idea that such an approach would mean giving in to Moscow's demands.
“Staying where we are now gives the people of Ukraine more of a chance to save their children and gives the soldiers a chance to come home. I think that's important to us,” he said.
Kiev has repeatedly supported the idea of a ceasefire based on the current situation on the ground as part of a wider peace deal. However, Moscow has rejected this option and continues to maintain that any deal must include the full surrender of the Donetsk region, including territories that the Russian army has not been able to capture.
Messages for the Kremlin through Abramovich
In the same interview, Zelenski for the first time confirmed the information regarding a meeting he had in May, in Kiev, with the Russian businessman Roman Abramovich, former owner of the Chelsea club.
According to the Ukrainian leader, Abramovich offered to directly transmit the messages received from the Ukrainian side to the Kremlin.
Zelensky said that the discussion was not secret and that he clearly conveyed to his interlocutor that Ukraine is not willing to give up Donbas.
“That was the key message. I told him that we will not leave. We will not give you victory in this way,” the Ukrainian president said.
Asked if Abramovich was acting as an intermediary for Vladimir Putin, Zelenskiy said the businessman told him he would go directly to the Kremlin leader to deliver the messages.
The Ukrainian president also said that Ukraine will continue to strike targets inside Russia and will try to increase pressure on Moscow as the war continues.
