PRESS RELEASE : Ukraine is ready for any format of talks with Russia to establish peace – President

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 17 February 2022.

Ukraine is ready for any format of talks with Russia to establish peace, but despite public statements, the Russian side does not show willingness for a real conversation. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with media representatives in Mariupol, Donetsk region.

“As soon as Russia says publicly that it is ready to talk about de-escalation, ready to talk about bilateral relations, every time after that we request Russia to hold a meeting in this or that format. But, apart from the public position, in reality they are not willing to communicate with us, they do not want to,” the President said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine is ready for talks. “I am ready for any format,” he said.

The Head of State also said that Ukraine, as a responsible country, submitted official requests and tried to contact Russian President Vladimir Putin when the risks of escalation on Ukraine’s borders increased due to the buildup of Russian troops.

“Ukraine is not left without an answer, but this answer does not lead to a meeting. Nobody approves the phone conversation either,” he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is also interested in initiatives of other countries that offer assistance in organizing a meeting with the Russian side.

“We are interested. I did not refuse any of the countries that offered this to us. Moreover, we ourselves have offered this to certain countries. We were interested in various formats of talks with the Russian Federation,” the President said.