Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L); Vladimir Putin.Photo: getty
As theRussian invasion of Ukraine continues, officials from both countries are signaling some optimism that peace talks could bear fruit.
In his nightly video address to citizens of Ukraine, PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyyon Tuesday reportedly said that recent discussions with Russia were “more realistic” than they had been.
“The meetings continue, and, I am informed, the positions during the negotiations already sound more realistic,” Zelenskyy, 44, said. “But time is still needed for the decisions to be in the interests of Ukraine.”
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Russian television channel RBC that “there is some hope for reaching a compromise,“according toThe Washington Post.
What exactly that might mean — and how quickly it could be accomplished — remains to be seen.
Russian PresidentVladimir Putinhas said he wants to ensure Ukraine does not make inroads in joining NATO, the major alliance of Western and European states that Russia views as a security threat.
Earlier this week, Zelenskyy hinted that Ukraine might be willing to compromise, saying, “It is clear that Ukraine is not amember of NATO. We understand that.”
Speaking toVice News in a recent interview, Zelenskyy said his country “has to” work with Putin, 69, to make a dealconcerning peace, as the Russian leaderoversees an invasionthat has already cost numerous lives.
“How to solve this war? Only dialogue. And only dialogue with him — he’s the president of Russia,” Zelenskyy, who worked as an actor and comedian before taking office in May 2019, told Vice.
The invasion has drawn condemnation around the world andincreasingly severe economic sanctionsagainst Russia.
With NATO forces massing in the region around Ukraine, various countries have also pledged aid or military support to the resistance.
Putin insists Ukraine has historic ties to Russia and he is acting in the best interests of his country. Zelenskyy vowed not to bend.
“Nobody is going to break us, we’re strong, we’re Ukrainians,“he told the European Unionin a speech in the early days of the fighting, adding, “Life will win over death. And light will win over darkness.”
source: people.com
