Zelensky says Normandy Four meeting not ruled out, while noting dependence on Russia's position

Ukraine is working to set up a meeting of the Normandy Four leaders, but currently the issue depends on Russia’s position.

That’s according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who spoke at the YES Brainstorming forum, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“I need a result. I measure the result in people. They met with Putin, there should be a Normandy Four meeting, and maybe there’ll be one – it depends on them. We are a strong independent state, it is true, but in some respects, it is not yet powerful enough to dictate this policy. We really want this, and we strive toward this, and we go in this direction," Zelensky noted.

The head of state stressed that Ukraine is working on setting up the meeting.

He also expressed his belief that if such a meeting does take place, “a certain number of people" will be returned, speaking of the prospects for the exchange of held persons with Russia.

"I don’t believe in an 'all for all' swap as they, Russia, never fulfill by 100% the things we agree upon, but nevertheless, if such a meeting takes place, there will be some result. And the result could be 100, 50, two people, any number will work,” Zelensky said.

The president noted he was interested in a more substantive meeting with Putin than the first one in the Normandy format, held in 2019. At the same time, he stressed that even back then the result was achieved, in particular, the release of more than 100 people, agreements on demining and opening of crossing checkpoints in Donbas.

"But not everything is moving forward as fast as I would like, which is exactly what Russia wouldn’t want today, I believe. They see no point in this – in resolving the issue, ending the war, and settling the conflict quickly. They don't want that,” Zelensky said.

During a visit to Kyiv on August 22, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would like to have a Normandy Four meeting held at the level of leaders.

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