Ukrainian Parliament speaker responds to Putin's statements on negotiations
Photo: Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk (rada.gov.ua)
Vladimir Putin said that compromises and negotiations with Ukraine are possible. However, the conditions for such negotiations should be dictated exclusively by the Ukrainian side, as a country that has become a victim of Russian aggression, says Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk.
He also emphasized that peace should be established on the basis of the UN Charter and in accordance with the Peace Formula proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“The aggressor is Russia, the victim is Ukraine. Ukraine, as a co-founding member of the United Nations, is appealing to one simple principle - a return to the implementation of the UN Charter. The formula for this approach is the Formula for Peace, which was proposed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” Stefanchuk explained.
He also rejected the possibility of accepting conditions that ignore Ukraine's position.
According to him, it is the opinion of Ukraine that should be decisive, understandable, and acceptable in the search for an approach to ending the war and establishing peace.
“There can be no other options,” he emphasized.
Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine
As of now, negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to end the war have not begun, but the world is actively talking about this possibility, including Ukraine's partners in the EU and the United States.
Ukraine insists on its conditions for peaceful agreements, including the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from the occupied territories and the restoration of territorial integrity. These requirements are fully compliant with international law.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also emphasized that no negotiations can take place without Ukraine's participation and consideration of its position.
At the same time, Russia is putting forward its demands, including the recognition of the annexation of Ukrainian territories and Ukraine's neutral status, which is unacceptable to the Ukrainian side and violates international law.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also said that Western leaders should stop pushing Zelenskyy to hold peace talks with Russia. Instead, they should focus on security guarantees for Ukraine.
At the same time, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda emphasized that it is too early to talk about peace talks.
