PRESS RELEASE : Volodymyr Zelenskyy – The world already understands that the President of the Russian Federation should be brought to the negotiating table as soon as there is willingness to talk to him

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 1 March 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy states that he does not have high expectations from the current format of the Ukrainian-Russian ceasefire talks, because in addition to calls, concrete steps towards each other are needed. However, the civilized world must bring President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table before it is too late. This was stated by the President in an interview with CNN and Reuters.

“I do not expect great results, because faith in this format, starting with Minsk, is being lost. There is a desire of the people to end this war. And in this desire, in addition to the words “I want”, “we want” or constant appeals that “Ukraine does not fulfill Minsk”, we must still work every day. Sit down, look for dialogue,” he said.

The Head of State said he had not seen any specifics from the first meeting of the Ukrainian and Russian delegations, which took place near the border between Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus.

“I do not yet feel the specifics from this composition and this first meeting. The only thing is that there is one percent that they will be able to meet again and talk about certain steps forward,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President of Ukraine stressed that a complete ceasefire is needed to start the dialogue.

“But to take steps forward, someone needs to take steps towards each other,” he added.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, if partners are not ready to see Ukraine in NATO due to Russia’s reluctance, security guarantees for our country must be worked out together.

“We are ready to talk about security guarantees for Ukraine. It depends on our partners. This means that we have our territorial integrity, that our borders are protected, that we have special relations with all our neighbors, that we are completely safe. And the guarantors who give us security, guarantee it legally,” the President emphasized.

The Head of State stressed that Ukraine will fight against the invader as long as necessary. However, he expressed hope that the war would not last long.

“The world already understands that it is necessary to bring the President of the Russian Federation to the negotiating table, while there is still willingness to sit at the negotiating table with him. I think so,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

At the same time, according to the President, he cannot say how long it will take.

“It is no longer measured in money. It, unfortunately, is measured in people. There cannot be too many people,” he added.

The Head of State stressed that due to the war and Russia’s invasion, Ukraine does not have time for long bureaucratic procedures and delays in resolving issues, because the war continues, people are dying every day and help is needed.

“There are specifics in this war. Specifics to survive and do something. That’s why we all act fast. That’s why the army does everything quickly. That is why we are defending our state quickly. And in the same way, if they want to help us, everyone must act quickly,” the President of Ukraine summed up.