Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today that he has accepted a proposal from the United States (US) to hold a new round of talks next week to end the war with Russia, noting that the issue of territory will remain central to the negotiations, Bloomberg reported.
The talks, scheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday, could be held in the United States, although Moscow's participation remains uncertain, Zelensky said.
Among the options being discussed is the creation of a free economic zone to serve as a buffer zone in Donbas, an option that has been met with skepticism by both Kiev and Moscow.
Zelensky stressed that Ukraine supports maintaining forces along the front line and insisted that all Ukrainian territory must remain under Ukrainian administration.
The Ukrainian president has indicated that any peace agreement would have to be approved by parliament or in a referendum.
Zelensky also warned of the difficult economic and security challenges his country continues to face, citing huge funding needs for the reconstruction and maintenance of military capabilities, while recent Russian attacks have seriously affected the country's energy infrastructure.
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