The West is calling on Ukraine to engage with Russia in peace talks, as the conflict continues with Russia escalating its operation.
After the US urged Ukraine to show it was open to negotiations, a German government spokesman said it was up to Kyiv to decide when to hold talks with Russia.
According to the U.S newspaper, The Washington Post, a few hours ago, Zelensky’s refusal to talk to Putin created concern in European countries and the U.S is calling on Kyiv to show flexibility in order not to lose its supporters.
U.S. and Ukrainian officials acknowledged that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s refusal to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin has caused concern in some countries in Europe, Africa, and Latin America, where the effects of the war on food and fuel are more noticeable.
Zelensky signed a decree on Oct. 4 officially calling the prospect of any talks with Putin “impossible” but leaving the door open for talks with Russia.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin declined to comment on a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report that Washington held classified talks with top Russian officials to avoid a further escalation in the war in Ukraine.
According to the publication, the National Security Adviser of the US presidency, Jake Sullivan, held talks with advisers of President Vladimir Putin in the hope of reducing the risk of the war in Ukraine spilling over or escalating into a nuclear conflict.
“We have nothing to say about this report,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
He also declined to comment on a Washington Post report in which the United States is privately encouraging Ukraine to show it is open to negotiations with Russia after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ruled out negotiations while Putin is in power.
“Well, we don’t know if that’s true or not,” Peskov said.
“Once again I repeat that there are some true reports, but for the most part they are reports that are mere speculation,” he said, referring reporters to contact the White House or the newspaper itself.
He added that while Russia remains “open” to talks, it cannot negotiate with Kyiv because of the latter’s refusal to hold talks with Russia.
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