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Ukraine to hand over to Russia its settlement plan, but will not negotiate it — Zelensky

When asked directly if talks between Ukraine and Russia are now possible, Zelensky answered in the negative

MOSCOW, February 25. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has confirmed that Kiev plans to hand over to Moscow its settlement plan during the second conference in Switzerland but, in his words, this should not be interpreted as negotiations.

Zelensky commented on the statement by head of his office Andrey Yermak that Russia could be invited to the second conference on Ukraine in Switzerland. According to Zelensky, Russian representatives will be invited only to hand over to them a plan agreed upon by the participants in the conference. "Russia may not accept the document to be drafted during the first summit. This document will be presented to Russia and it will be ready for the second summit," he said during the Ukraine. 2024 conference that was aired by the Rada television channel.

However, when asked directly if talks between Ukraine and Russia are now possible, Zelensky answered in the negative.

The Ukrainian leader said that he hopes that the first forum on Ukraine in Switzerland will be held inn coming months, probably in the spring. "We would like it to finally be held, maybe even not in Europe," he said.

In the fall of 2022, Zelensky signed an executive order banning his talks with Russia.

After a meeting with Zelensky on January 15, Swiss President Viola Amherd said that the Ukrainian leader had asked her to organize a high-level peace conference. The initiative was met positively in Bern. Swiss Foreign Minister Ignacio Cassis said in Davos on January 14 that Russia should be included into peace discussions on Ukraine.

Switzerland, which is not a member of either NATO or the European Union, supports the EU’s anti-Russian sanctions and has been put on Russia’s list of unfriendly states.

Addressing the Group of Twenty summit in November, 2022, Zelensky said that Kiev had a "plan to achieve peace" consisting of ten points. Among them are nuclear, food and energy security, and an "all-for-all" exchange of "detainees," as well as the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity. The plan however totally ignores Moscow’s position.

Meanwhile, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Zelensky’s statements about a peaceful settlement were out of touch with reality. Moscow sees no progress in the settlement process around Ukraine and that is why it is continuing its special military operation.

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