The Kremlin said it would expect “concrete actions” from kyiv following comments by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that appeared to raise the prospect of negotiations to end the war launched through Moscow.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, responding to an interview Zelensky gave to the BBC on July 20, in which he explained how foreign tensions can force Russia to the negotiating table.
“This does not mean that all territories will be reconquered by force,” Zelensky said. “I think the strength of international relations can help. By putting pressure on Russia, I think it is imaginable to reach a diplomatic agreement. “
Asked if he was willing to speak directly with Putin (a prospect Zelensky’s leadership long ruled out), the Ukrainian president replied that he would talk to “anyone who could lead in Russia. “
“At this peace summit, if the plan is absolutely in a position and if Russia is in a position to talk about this plan and agree to end the war, in accordance with the UN Charter, then we will be in a position to talk, with our partners, with representatives of Russia.
“Whether it’s Putin or not, it doesn’t matter, let’s be honest,” Zelensky concluded.
Russia’s official Tass news outlet reported Monday that Peskov said Zelensky’s stance on the discussion “is better than words about his goal to fight every last Ukrainian. “
It is unclear what Zelensky’s comment Peskov was referring to; During the first year of the invasion, the Ukrainian president spoke of fighting “to the end”, a sentiment he has repeated ever since.
Peskov also told Tass that Zelensky’s comments to the BBC were “of course statements that any contact with the Russian side. . . was excluded. “
The Kremlin spokesman added: “We cannot yet judge what exactly those words are. “
In his interview with the BBC, Zelensky said: “We have to work with the United States” when asked what a Donald Trump victory in November’s US presidential election would mean for Washington with Kiev.
Trump has claimed, without explanation, that he could end the war within a day and, according to some reports, this could simply involve pressuring Kyiv to cede territory to Russia.
Trump posted on Truth Social that he had a verbal phone exchange with Zelensky and that Ukraine and Russia “could come together and negotiate a deal. “
RBC Ukraine reported on Monday that Trump had no express plan for Ukraine but did have a set of general ideas, and a government source in kyiv told the outlet that “at the end of the day, it will come down to the private. ” Appointments between Zelensky and Trump. “
Newsweek has reached out to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry for comment.
Updated on 7/22/24 at 9:50 a. m. a. m. ET: This article has been updated with more data.
Brendan Cole is a senior reporter for Newsweek in London, United Kingdom. It focuses on Russia and Ukraine, specifically on the war unleashed through Moscow. It also covers other areas of geopolitics, adding China.
Brendan joined Newsweek in 2018 from the International Business Times and, in addition to English, studies Russian and French.
You can contact Brendan by emailing b. cole@newsweek. com or by following him on his X @brendanmarkcole account.
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