Ukraine President Zelensky ready for peace talks with Russia, but not in Belarus

Kyiv: President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday Ukraine was willing to hold talks with Russia, but rejected convening them in neighbouring Belarus as it was being used as a launchpad for Moscow’s invasion.

After Russia sent a delegation to Belarus and said it was ready to start peace negotiations with Ukraine in Gomel city, Ukraine President Zelensky rejected Moscow’s offer.

He said that Russia has been carrying out some of its attacks on Ukraine from Belarus and he is open to talks only in locations that are not showing aggression towards his country. Locations acceptable to Ukraine President Zelensky include Warsaw, Istanbul and Baku.

“I am ready for negotiations in any country from where missiles do not fly,” Ukraine President Zelensky said.

Earlier, Russian President Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov had said, “Russia is already ready for talks in Gomel. Now Moscow is waiting for the Ukrainians.”