Zelensky: ready for dialogue about Crimea and Donbas | Abroad

But he said “he is willing to have a dialogue about the issues, to find a compromise on how those regions go forward.” He has again called on his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to negotiate directly with Ukraine.

The foreign ministers of Ukraine and Russia are likely to meet on Thursday in the Turkish resort of Antalya. Three rounds of talks between delegations from the two countries have taken place so far in the south-east of Belarus. Local files have also been announced by both parties.

The regions of eastern Ukraine seceded in 2014 after an elected pro-Russian president was ousted in Kiev. According to the West, because he had turned away from the EU, which led to mass protests and his downfall. According to the Kremlin, there was a case of violent ‘regime change’, mainly concocted by the United States.

Putin invaded Ukraine on February 24, alleging the country’s refusal to resolve the conflicts in the east and persecuting ethnic Russians. Russia demands recognition of Crimea as Russian territory and recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states. Furthermore, Ukraine should be given a neutral status and not be allowed to become a NATO member.

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