Ukraine’s Zelensky: Turkey, Gulf states or European nations could host talks with Putin
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is pushing for direct talks with Russia's leader to bring an end to Moscow's war in Ukraine.
PHOTO: EPA
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- Zelensky seeks Turkey, Gulf States, or European countries to host potential talks with Putin to end the war.
- Contacts are planned with these nations, and Ukraine aims to be fully prepared for negotiations with Russia.
- Zelensky stresses talks rely on partner coordination, mainly the US, to pressure Russia via sanctions.
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KYIV - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug 26 that Turkey, the Gulf States or European countries could host any talks he may hold with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Mr Zelensky is pushing for direct talks with the Russian leader to help end Moscow’s war in Ukraine but Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says no agenda has been prepared for such a meeting.
“Now, this week there will be contacts with Turkey, contacts with the Gulf States and with European states which could host talks with the Russians,” Mr Zelensky said, in his nightly video address.
“From our side, things will be prepared to the maximum in order to end the war.”
Mr Zelensky spoke as his chief of staff, Mr Andriy Yermak, said he and Ukraine’s national security council chief were in Qatar to meet that country’s defence minister.
In his comments, Mr Zelensky also said that moving ahead with talks depended on coordination with Ukraine’s partners, primarily the United States, in ensuring that sufficient pressure was exerted on Russia. This, he said, had been discussed on Aug 25 in Kyiv with US envoy Keith Kellogg.
“Everything further depends strictly on the will of world leaders, most importantly the United States of America, to put pressure on Russia,” Mr Zelensky said.
“Russia is only giving signals that it is going to continue to avoid real negotiations. This can only be changed by strong sanctions, strong tariffs – real pressure.” REUTERS
