(MENAFN) Ukraine has expressed a willingness to engage in direct negotiations with Russia over their ongoing territorial conflict.

A high-ranking Ukrainian foreign ministry representative stated that discussions between President Vladimir Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin could commence, using the current battlefield line as the baseline for talks.

In a conversation with a news agency on Friday, Ukraine’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Kislitsa emphasized that the Ukrainian public “is categorically against trading our land for peace.”

Despite the firm public stance, Kislitsa confirmed that Zelensky is open to initiating talks with Putin, beginning with the existing front line as the foundation for dialogue.

Although Zelensky has officially opposed any territorial compromises with Russia, various media outlets have suggested that he might be open to solidifying the current front lines as a possible framework for a resolution.

Kislitsa also addressed the topic of Western nations providing security assurances to Ukraine.

He acknowledged that American authorities are “working very hard” to prepare a formal agreement.

“Ideally, we may have the first draft sometime early next week, and then… the political leadership has to decide how we do work with these drafts,” he said.

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