Zelensky: Ukraine is ready for negotiations after the signal from Russia

Ukraine is ready for a dialogue on peace with anyone, anytime, but a ceasefire is necessary to start it, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

"We are ready for dialogue in any format, with anyone... anytime. But only after a real signal that Russia is ready for the end of the war. Such a signal is a complete and unconditional ceasefire," RBC-Ukraine quotes him.

Zelensky said on April 23 that Kiev insists on an immediate, complete and unconditional cease-fire and stressed that Ukraine does not exclude any of the formats that could lead to an end to the military conflict. He recalled that Ukraine had agreed to introduce a 30-day ceasefire after negotiations with the United States, which took place on March 11 in Saudi Arabia.

On April 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin unilaterally announced the introduction of the Easter truce, which was in effect from 18.00 Moscow time on April 19 to 00.00 Moscow time on April 21. The proposal was supported by Zelensky, but the parties subsequently accused each other of violating the regime. Following the truce, the President of Ukraine said that he would reach a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine is possible.

On April 23, regular talks between representatives of the United States, Ukraine and Europe on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict took place in London. It was assumed that foreign ministers would participate in the meeting, but later it became known that instead of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the United States would be represented by special presidential envoy Keith Kellogg. According to The Washington Post, the level of negotiations was reduced due to the fact that Kiev wanted to discuss the ceasefire first, and then everything else.

On April 25, Reuters reported on the contents of the plan, which was drawn up following negotiations on April 23 by European countries and Ukraine and handed over to the American side. According to him, Russia and Ukraine must commit itself to a complete and unconditional cease-fire in the sky, on land and at sea. In parallel with this, it is planned to develop a plan and discuss the conditions for concluding a full-fledged peace agreement.

Moscow emphasizes its readiness for negotiations and accuses Kiev of abandoning them. Russia supports the idea of a truce, "but there are nuances," said President Vladimir Putin.