Zelensky: "I Received an Implication That Putin Wants Negotiations"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that he received an 'indication' that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to engage in direct talks.

On the 16th (local time), according to major Ukrainian media, President Zelensky reportedly said that Western countries gave him an indication that Putin wants direct negotiations (instead of behind-the-scenes talks).

Ukraine and Russia held several peace talks shortly after Russia's invasion triggered the war in February this year. However, no common ground was found as Ukraine firmly rejected Russia's demands for territorial concessions. The revelation of civilian massacres by Russian troops in several cities near the capital, including Bucha near Kyiv, also had a negative impact.

Since then, Ukraine has maintained the position that negotiations cannot take place until Russian troops completely withdraw from its territory. However, recently, as Ukraine launched a counteroffensive and recaptured parts of eastern Donbas and southern regions such as Kherson, and Russian forces have been significantly weakened, peace negotiation talks have emerged.

As the war enters its ninth month, a change in atmosphere is also being sensed among Western countries that have actively supported Ukraine. In the United States, which has been the most proactive in providing aid to Ukraine, there are forecasts that support for Ukraine may decrease as the Republican Party took control of the House in the midterm elections.

In this regard, on the 15th, William Burns, Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), made a surprise visit to Ukraine and met with President Zelensky and local intelligence officials.

However, the West, including the U.S. and the European Union (EU), is concerned that talks of negotiations might be perceived as pressuring Ukraine to compromise, and they have stated, "Negotiations are ultimately up to Ukraine to decide."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.