In an interview with Bild newspaper, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that only direct negotiations with the Russian President Vladimir Putin could end the war. To the question about what he'd respond to a demand to recognize Russian jurisdiction over Crimea and independence of Donbas to ensure peace, Zelenskyy replied, "It's not the matter of what I can offer."
According to Zelenskyy, only direct negotiations with the Russian President and mutual compromises can end the war. "In every round of talks, my objective is to end the war with Russia. I am ready to take certain steps. I can compromise but not betray my country. The other side should be ready to compromise too. That's why we call it a compromise. This is the only way out. It's too early to talk about details. We haven't had direct contact between the presidents yet. Only direct negotiation between the presidents can put an end to this war."
Zelenskyy had invited Putin to negotiations earlier without receiving a response.