The question of ending the war must be decided by Ukraine itself.
Deciding whether negotiations between Ukraine and Russia regarding the end of the war, and when they should take place only the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi who acts on behalf of Ukraine and Ukrainians can. This was emphasized by the coordinator of the US National Security Council for strategic communications John Kirby at a press briefing, answering the question of a representative of the Russian propaganda resource RIA “Novosti” about whether the White House will send a signal to Ukraine about the need for negotiations, on what Putin hinted at during his speech at the Valdai Forum.
Asking a question, RIA Novosti journalist Ihor Naimushynintentionally emphasized that his country considers the end of the war in Ukraine exclusively as a result of negotiations between Russia and the United States, referring to the view widespread in the Russian Federation regarding Ukraine being under full foreign control of the United States.
“American officials recently stated , that the negotiations between Russia and the USA regarding the settlement of the Ukraine issue are inappropriate,” Naimushyn began to ask.
“What did you say was inappropriate?” Kirby interrupted him.< /p>
“Negotiations between Russia and USA in the context of the Ukrainian settlement,” Naimushyn repeated.
He also added that the State Department said they had not heard a message from Russia about its readiness for dialogue and diplomacy, although President Putin had just said that Russia was ready for negotiations and was waiting for a signal from the US to the Ukrainian leadership.
“Is there opposition from the US side in the context of negotiations and what could be an incentive for the US to start such negotiations? Does the White House understand that the conflict in Ukraine cannot end without negotiations between Russia and the United States?” asked the Russian journalist.
Answering the question, which he called “good”, Kirby advised Naimushyn to be more attentive and reminded that the USA from the very beginning adhered to the principle “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine”.
“When and if the time comes for peace talks, it will and should be President Zelensky's decision, on his terms. He is the president of a sovereign country, a sovereign state. As much as it upsets Putin, he may not admit it, but this is a sovereign, independent nation. Ukrainians elected President Zelensky to speak on their behalf and on behalf of the country. And it is up to him to determine when and under what conditions he will sit down at the negotiating table with Putin regarding the end of this war. He decides what success looks like, he decides what victory looks like, and his decision should be to determine the terms for negotiations,” John Kirby emphasized.
Kirby added that Putin has not yet showed no interest in a dialogue with President Zelensky about this war, even the opposite. Everything he does is demonstrates that he wants to continue the war.
In particular, Kirby recalled Russia's fake referendums, mobilization, “martial law” in territories that do not belong to it and , of course, a series of strikes on civilian infrastructure and the civilian population.
“Oh my God, what are these rockets hitting? Playground! And he's going to countries like Iran to get drones and maybe even surface-to-surface missiles so he can continue to inflict violence on the Ukrainian people! These are not the actions of the government, these are not the actions of a leader who is serious about negotiations to end the war,” Kirby emphasized.
He once again emphasized that the decision will be made by the President of Ukraine, and the United States will continue to support the Armed Forces to be convinced that they could succeed and that when and if the time came for negotiations, the President of Ukraine had the opportunity to conduct them just as successfully.
Read also: Macron: Ukraine — these are the borders of 1991, but negotiations are necessary
Let us remind you that the USA has repeatedly stated at various levels that it will not force Ukraine to negotiate. The same position was expressed by other Western partners of Ukraine.
Read also: Republican congressman invited Putin and Zelensky for peace talks in Arizona
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President Zelensky stated that Ukraine is ready to negotiate with Russia (not with its current president Vladimir Putin – ed.), but on its own terms.
