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Zelensky rejects idea of talks with Russia despite tough situation on battlefield

The President of Ukraine believes that the Russian Federation now does not want the conflict to end, so we cannot talk about concluding peace "at any cost"
President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky AP Photo/ Evan Vucci
President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky
© AP Photo/ Evan Vucci

MOSCOW, November 21. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has flatly rejected any idea of launching peace negotiations with Russia despite the Ukrainian army’s difficult situation at the combat line of engagement.

"Is it difficult on the battlefield? Yes. But making friends or entering diplomatic table now with Russia? No!" he said in an interview with The Sun newspaper.

In his opinion, Russia is not ready to halt combat, "therefore, we are not speaking about peace at any price."

On November 4, NBC, citing US officials, reported that the US and EU had started talking with Ukraine about possible peace talks with Russia and what Kiev might have to give up for a compromise. According to the TV channel, the officials were "quietly talking to the Ukrainian government about what possible peace negotiations with Russia might entail." "The conversations have included very broad outlines of what Ukraine might need to give up to reach a deal," it said. Some of the talks took place in October, NBC noted.

Zelensky refuted these reports during a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was in Kiev on a visit, claiming that no leader of the United States or the European Union was putting pressure on Ukraine to sit down at the negotiating table with Russia.