Ukraine ready for talks with Russia, but patience has limits, envoy tells UN
Andrii Melnyk (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine is ready for direct dialogue with Russia to achieve a just and lasting peace. Kyiv is still proposing a ceasefire along the current front line, and that already represents a major compromise, Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Andrii Melnyk, said during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
Melnyk stressed that over the past month, Ukraine has significantly changed the dynamics of the war, and even Russian military bloggers are publicly acknowledging that Moscow will not be able to win this war.
He also noted that the consequences of the war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin are now returning to Russia like a boomerang, and Russians are increasingly feeling them.
The diplomat stated that nearly 40% of Russia's oil refineries have already been damaged and are no longer supporting the Kremlin's war machine.
"Recent days have shown that even the air defense shield built around Moscow, reinforced by all the systems pulled from across Russia, is failing to protect its military targets, and that is just the beginning," he added.
Melnyk also emphasized that for the past 15 months, Ukraine has been appealing to the United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution on a full and unconditional ceasefire.
"Unfortunately, Ukraine's outstretched hand has remained hanging in the air," the diplomat said.
The permanent representative added that Kyiv is ready for direct negotiations with Moscow to achieve a just and lasting peace in accordance with the United Nations Charter, but warned that Ukraine's patience "is not endless."
He also stressed that if the Security Council continues to remain on the sidelines, Kyiv may reconsider its proposal.
"I cannot exclude that Ukraine may recalibrate and modify its offer. A ceasefire along the de facto front line is already a great compromise," the diplomat said.
In addition, Melnyk addressed Russia's representative, calling on Moscow to leave Ukrainian territory. He stressed that Russia will not be able to hold the occupied lands and that, before it is too late, Russian troops should withdraw from Ukraine as soon as possible.
Peace talks
At the same United Nations Security Council meeting, the United States representative called on Russia to immediately come to the negotiating table and conclude a peace agreement with Ukraine. He emphasized that time is not on Moscow's side.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Kyiv's proposal for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin remains in force.
