Russia not reacting to Ukraine’s proposal to withdraw troops from areas seized after Feb 24 – Zelensky

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with Porta a Porta on Italy’s Rai 1 TV Channel, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“There are no compromises on our independence but, nevertheless, we are ready to say as part of our talks: at least you need to leave the areas occupied after February 24. Yes, unfortunately, you will stay within some temporarily occupied areas, but it will be the first clear step to start talking about something. Let’s do it. We do not hear the response to this,” Zelensky told.

Answering the question about what victory Ukraine would like to get, President Zelensky noted that Ukraine was seeking for ordinary things, such as respect for its sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, traditions, language and nation.

“I have just named trivial things, but these are the normal, usual, trivial things that the Russian Federation has broken. They need to be restored. What does it mean to restore? To withdraw troops from our land. To withdraw troops, deoccupy our homes, our villages. I don’t say they would need to bring everything they looted from ordinary homes back, as this is not valuable to us. The living are valuable to us. So, whatever they had looted, let they go. They will be brought to justice anyways,” the President of Ukraine stressed.

Talking of Russia’s responsibility, Zelensky expressed confidence that reparations, court rulings and verdicts are waiting for them ahead. But, this will not bring the fallen Ukrainians back.

“There is no price to this. And this cannot be forgiven,” Zelensky added.

A reminder that Ukraine and Russia have been holding peace talks since the war started. Last time the Ukrainian and Russian delegations met in person in Istanbul on March 29, 2022.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, negotiations are becoming more complicated every day, as the new atrocities committed by Russian troops within the temporarily occupied territories get revealed.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

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