By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday rejected any territorial concessions to Russia as a potential step towards a ceasefire deal, the UNIAN news agency reported.
“Our position is that we do not recognise the occupied Ukrainian territories as Russian under any circumstances,” Zelensky told reporters.
He confirmed that potential territorial concessions were discussed during a 11 March meeting between Ukrainian and US delegations in Saudi Arabia.
Zelensky noted that Washington took into account Kyiv’s stance on the issue, stressing that territorial issues are “complex” and should be addressed later at the negotiating table.
Also on Saturday, Zelensky signed an order listing a delegation expected to interact with international partners on peace efforts.
According to the order published online, Andriy Yermak, head of Zelensky’s office, has been appointed to lead the delegation.
The team also includes Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, and Deputy Head of the President’s Office Pavlo Palisa.
Zelensky authorised Yermak to modify the delegation with Sybiha’s approval.
Earlier this week, Yermak, Sybiha, Umerov, and Palisa held a meeting with a US delegation in Saudi Arabia.
EU leaders on Saturday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept the ceasefire in its war against Ukraine now, if he is “serious about peace.”
The meeting came in the wake of a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has backed but insists no part of his country will be ceded to Russia in exchange.
