Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the US is negotiating with Russia in the context of a peaceful settlement, but Russia is not currently showing any willingness to compromise. At the same time, he said, Ukraine’s international partners have enough influence to increase pressure on Moscow if necessary.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this during a conversation with journalists on January 7.
When asked whether Russia had hinted that it might agree to the security guarantees for Ukraine that are currently being discussed, and whether Ukraine’s partners plan to increase pressure on Russia if it refuses to agree to a ceasefire, Zelenskyy said the following:
“The Americans are definitely negotiating with the Russians, discussing various options. My answer is very simple: so far, Russia is turning up its nose, but our partners are strong enough — some of them especially — and can make Russia change its mind if they want to.”
On January 6, a meeting of 35 representatives of the countries participating in the “Coalition of the Willing” took place in Paris. Following the meeting, the presidents of Ukraine, France, and the United Kingdom signed a declaration of intent to deploy a multinational military contingent in Ukraine after the end of hostilities.