Zelensky emphasizes his responsibility on discussions with Russia

(MENAFN) Ukrainian Leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized on Tuesday that he personally bears the responsibility for conducting negotiations with Russia regarding territorial matters, making it clear that Ukraine’s sovereignty cannot be compromised by outside parties.

“It is my job to hold talks on territories – and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s, who seized them (in the ongoing war). I will not discuss my position on this with anyone else,” he stated in an interview with a Hungarian media outlet.

These remarks were made following a question about Kyiv’s readiness to consider compromises during the ongoing discussions with Moscow aimed at ending the conflict. Zelenskyy confirmed that the memorandum recently presented to the Russian side during negotiations in Istanbul no longer mentions Ukraine’s borders as defined in 1991.

“Our memorandum is the basis for negotiations. Based on this, our delegation has a mandate to discuss humanitarian issues – the issue of prisoners of war and abducted children – or a ceasefire. However, they do not have a mandate to discuss Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is our own constitutional matter,” he explained.

Zelenskyy reinforced Ukraine’s stance that it does not accept Russia’s claims of annexation over any part of its territory. He noted that discussions about the status of these territories could only take place through diplomatic channels if Kyiv receives solid security assurances.

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