Ukraine issues non-negotiable request to Russia before peace deal can be agreed
Ukraine will not budge on their conditions in the hopes of reaching a peace deal with Russia.
An adviser to Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff has spoken openly about Ukraine's key non-negotiable for Vladimir Putin.
However, those familiar with the matter said Russia allegedly wants full control on choosing which countries would take part in a peacekeeping plan.
This would include control over the structure of the peace plan and its principles, Bloomberg reported.
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Although Daria Zarivna, who was in the Ukrainian delegation that conducted peace talks with the US and Russia in Saudi Arabia earlier this month (March 11), has made a clear stance on proceedings.
"Our openness to engage in peace talks should not be confused with compromising on key issues," she said, as reported by The Times.
Zarivna noted that a joint Ukraine-US statement suggested that the Americans were 'committed to helping achieve the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children'.
"The children are mentioned in every joint statement of Ukraine and US," she added.
"If [the US] would not support it, I think it would not be included in the joint statement."
President Zelenskyy was at the meeting of allies in Paris earlier today (27 March), where he said 'it will come to an end' because Putin 'will die soon'.
The 72-year-old 'is afraid', claimed the Ukrainian President, who was joined alongside UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer amongst the 30 countries, Nato and the European Union.
"There was absolute clarity that Russia is trying to delay and playing games, and we have to be absolutely clear about that," Starmer said.
"Unlike President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy, Putin has shown he’s not a serious player in these peace talks. Playing games with the agreed naval ceasefire in the Black Sea despite good faith participation from all sides – all while continuing to inflict devastating attacks on the Ukrainian people. His promises are hollow.
"The US is playing a leading role by convening the ceasefire talks, President Zelenskyy has demonstrated his commitment repeatedly.
"And Europe is stepping up to play its part to defend Ukraine’s future.
"Now Putin needs to show he’s willing to play ball."
Zelenskyy added: "Thank you very much, Keir, thank you for your support, thanks to France for organising this meeting and leadership of France and UK of this coalition of the willing.
"I think that Keir almost said all the outcomes which are very important for us, no lifting any kind of sanctions until Russia will stop this war.
"And I think more pressure on it, more packages of sanctions."
Topics: Ukraine, Russia, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, Politics
Anish Vij