Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. EPA Yonhap News
Ukraine and Russia, who met in Turkey two weeks after the fourth round of negotiations, opened the way to a ceasefire, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky maintained a cautious stance. He gave a positive evaluation of the negotiations, but he said he would not slow down the tension.
In a video message released after the fifth round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia on the 29th (local time), President Zelensky said, “The signal from the negotiations can be said to be positive. There is no earthquake,” he said. “There is no reason to trust the words of a delegation from a country that continues to fight to destroy us,” he said.
It also refuted Russia’s statement that it would cut military activity in some areas, including the capital Kiiu. President Zelensky described the withdrawal of the Red Army as “not because of the reduction of Russian military action, but because of the courage and effective action of the Ukrainian forces”. “It is still very likely that the Russian military will continue to attack Ukraine,” he said. It is pointed out that this is in line with the position of the U.S. Department of Defense that the move of the deployed Russian troops near Kiiu is not a ‘withdrawal’ but a ‘relocation’.
President Zelensky insisted that peace negotiations with Russia continue, but that sanctions against Russia should also continue. He reaffirmed that “Ukraine supports the talks (with Russia) and will continue the negotiation process to the extent necessary,” and reaffirmed that Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be guaranteed. President Zelensky also expressed a stance that peace negotiations and sanctions against Russia are separate. He said, “We should not think that the peace negotiations will affect Russia’s lifting of sanctions,” he said. raised his voice.
Jinwook Kim reporter kimjinuk@hankookilbo.com
