Ukraine’s Zelensky says allies should work on a ‘format’ ahead of any peace talks with Russia

KYIV - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan 25 that allies should work towards determining a format for any upcoming peace talks with Russia and that Kyiv must be involved for successful negotiations.

His comments are the latest to add to speculation over the possibility of talks to end the brutal conflict that has cost tens of thousands of lives after almost three years of fighting.

“I understand that contacts can be in different formats,” Mr Zelensky said, referring to possible negotiations that would lead to “a just peace”.

“I think we should focus on this today,” he said at a joint press conference with President Maia Sandu of neighbouring Moldova.

President Vladimir Putin said last week that he was ready for talks with his US counterpart Donald Trump on Ukraine, praising him as a “smart” leader who might have prevented the conflict from starting in February 2022.

Mr Putin did not say when talks could take place, and the Kremlin said earlier it was still waiting for “signals” from Washington, despite Mr Trump announcing on Jan 23 he was willing to meet the Russian leader “immediately”.

Mr Trump, who was inaugurated on Jan 20, has called the conflict “ridiculous” and

threatened Russia with tougher economic sanctions

if it does not agree to stop its offensive.

Mr Zelensky said in Kyiv that talks to end the war should be held between the US, Ukraine and Russia, as well as the European Union.

“I can’t say today what kind of negotiations will take place, what will be the structure of the negotiation process, because we don’t have a common plan yet,” Mr Zelensky added.

He reiterated a common talking point among Ukrainian officials that any negotiations that excluded Kyiv would not ultimately guarantee any lasting peace.

“It is impossible to exclude Ukraine from any negotiation platform, or this negotiation platform will not have real results, but will have political results,” he said.

“And such results will have nothing to do with security and the end of the war,” he said.

Mr Zelensky has put forward several proposals to end the conflict, including his so-called victory plan at a Ukraine summit in 2024 that brought together dozens of countries and international organisations. AFP