This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, referencing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with Ukrainian Radio. This information is also provided by Kontrakty.UA.
"Under the condition that Ukraine is not alone against the Russian Federation, and that Ukraine is strong. What negotiations can be held with a murderer? If we are simply talking to Putin, simply to a murderer, we are in the current situation, which is not strengthened by some important elements, then this is a losing negotiation status for Ukraine from the outset," he stated.
Zelensky emphasized the importance of the position of the newly elected President of the United States, Donald Trump, regarding Ukraine. According to him, the change in Trump's attitude will influence the change in U.S. policy.
"Therefore, there are always certain challenges for me in mediation. Anyone can be a mediator, but one cannot abstractly say 'I am a mediator, so I cannot choose one side or another.' No. In unconditional values and violations of international law, it cannot be like that," the head of state declared.
Zelensky added that the U.S. must maintain a position of support in recognizing that Ukraine is the victim, while the Russian Federation is the aggressor and violator of international law. In the president's opinion, this should be one of the points at the beginning of negotiations on any platform.
Negotiations Between Ukraine and Russia
It is worth noting that currently, Ukraine and Russia are not conducting peace negotiations. As President Volodymyr Zelensky stated, the only negotiations taking place between Ukraine and the Russian Federation concern the exchange of prisoners.
However, Western media reported that the parties, with the mediation of Qatar, supposedly started "preliminary discussions on halting strikes on each other's energy infrastructure." Nevertheless, both in Ukraine and in the Kremlin, this was denied.
At the same time, Donald Trump recently stated that on the first day after returning to the White House, he wanted to bring Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table. Zelensky warned the U.S. against a "quick" resolution to the war.