Ukraine is ready to discuss neutrality status to achieve peace with Russia

Ukraine is prepared to discuss the adoption of a neutral status as part of a peace agreement with Russia, but such a pact would have to be guaranteed by third parties and put to a referendum, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in remarks broadcast to Russian media this week. Sunday.

Ukraine denies regaining territory controlled by Russia

The president ruled out trying to retake all territory controlled by Russia by force, saying it would lead to a third world war, and said he wanted to reach a “compromise” on the eastern region of Donbas, held by Russian-backed forces. since 2014.

Volodymyr Zelensky also spoke about the fate of the eastern port city of Mariupol, which has been besieged for weeks and has been subjected to prolonged Russian bombardment

He rejected Russia‘s accusations that Ukraine had restricted the rights of Russian-speakers, saying it was Vladimir Putin‘s invasion that wiped Russian-speaking cities “off the face of the earth.”

Ukraine and Russia prepare talks to end the war

As envoys from Kiev and Moscow prepare for a new round of talks aimed at ending the war that has lasted more than a month, Zelensky dismissed Russia ‘s accusations that Ukraine had nuclear or chemical weapons as “a joke.” .

Ukrainian and Russian negotiators will speak early next week in Istanbul , according to Turkey’s presidency, in a new bid to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine , which has already left at least 1,100 dead, according to the UN.