Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak said that Ukraine strives for peace and is ready for negotiations with Russia under certain conditions. He also said that some issues related to the occupied territories "will require discussions."
He told all this in an interview with the German publication "Die Zeit".
Thus, the head of the OP noted that, despite the Ukrainian side's desire for peace, the Russian side continues to demonstrate a lack of interest in stopping the aggression.
"... we want peace, but its coming depends not only on us. If everything depended on Ukraine, this war would have been over long ago. But the reality is that Russia does not demonstrate a sincere desire to stop the aggression. More than 50 days ago, President Trump proposed a full 30-day ceasefire - we agreed. Russia responded with a three-day "truce for the parade," he said.
He also noted that representatives of Ukraine will sit down at the negotiating table only after a full ceasefire. This is a joint position of Ukraine, the United States and European partner countries. As for the territories occupied by the enemy, Ukraine will never recognize them as Russian, however, given the realities, there is an awareness that some issues will have to be discussed with the Russian Federation.
"We do not trade our independence. Our "red lines" are the Constitution, international law, and the UN Charter. We will never recognize the occupation of our territories. However, we are realists: we understand that some issues will have to be discussed at the negotiating table. We are ready for this - if Russia comes there," the head of the President's Office explained.
Yermak believes that Ukraine has shown itself to be a responsible and constructive partner. This is evidenced by the signing of a historic agreement with the United States, which will become the basis of future security through the economy.
"We work with all partners, and we want people to come to Ukraine and see with their own eyes that we are holding on, that we are strong and motivated. We are grateful for Germany's years of support and welcome the new Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He has been with us since the first days of the war," the official said.
He added that Ukrainians continue to fight because they have no other country, emphasizing: "...we have the strength to win not only the war, but also the peace."
"Apostrophe" previously wrote that after Trump's last meeting with Zelensky, the Russian side unexpectedly stated that the occupying country was ready to seek a "balance of interests" in matters concerning Ukraine .