Zelenskyy names main directive for negotiations
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
Ukraine wants a fair and lasting peace, but during any negotiations, it will not allow the devaluation of the struggle of Ukrainians and the victims of war, says President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an address to Ukrainians.
What Zelenskyy said about negotiations and peace
The President noted that Ukraine seeks a strong and dignified peace. Before each round of negotiations, the team receives clear directives — not to devalue the path traveled and the sacrifices of Ukrainians. "My main message is not to nullify all these years, not to devalue all the struggle, courage, and dignity," Zelenskyy emphasized. He added that negotiations are accompanied by a struggle for every wording and real security guarantees.
Today marks exactly four years since Putin started his three-day push to take Kyiv. And that says a great deal about our resistance, about how Ukraine has fought all this time. Behind those words stand millions of our people, immense courage, incredibly hard work, endurance, and… pic.twitter.com/9qiqACurhx
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2026
About Ukraine's losses and memory of the fallen
Zelenskyy emphasized that the war has left deep wounds for the country and every family, and the issue of losses remains painful. "I am not sure that time heals. I don't know how much time is needed to heal all our wounds," the President noted. He mentioned the names of fallen Ukrainian defenders and stressed that thousands of heroes gave their lives for Ukraine's independence. "Thousands, thousands of heroes who gave their lives so that Ukraine would live. Our warrior-defenders. Our guardian angels," Zelenskyy said.
The war has lasted over a thousand days
According to the head of state, Ukraine has already endured 1462 days of full-scale war and 12 years since the beginning of Russian aggression. The President emphasized that the country is fighting for its land, freedom, culture, and people. "Undoubtedly, we all want the war to end. But no one will allow Ukraine to end," he declared.
Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia
Last week, the third round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia since the beginning of 2026 took place in Geneva. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the parties managed to achieve some progress on ceasefire control issues, but the political direction of the negotiations did not receive significant advancement.
One of the main unresolved issues remains control over the unoccupied territories of Donbas. Russia insists on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops, Ukraine advocates for freezing the situation along the front line, and the US proposes the creation of a free economic zone in this region.
According to Zelenskyy, the next round of negotiations may also take place in Switzerland. Additionally, after the meeting in Geneva, the President announced the preparation of a new prisoner exchange.
