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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine is accepting the U.S. proposal and is ready to bring the war to an end. He also confirmed that elections will be held after martial law is lifted.
The head of state made this statement during a press conference on March 12.
“Ukraine is truly fighting for itself, has never wanted war, wants the war to end, and supports the U.S. in ensuring that the end of the war is accelerated as much as possible,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated regarding the results of negotiations between Ukraine and the U.S. in Saudi Arabia.
According to him, Ukraine and the U.S. have demonstrated concrete steps, and now Russia will have to respond.
“I am very serious about this, and it is important for me to end the war. I want the U.S. President to see this, for Europe and everyone to be united in forcing Russia to stop the war. That’s why my response was—we are ready for a 30-day silence format in the way the American side proposed,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
Additionally, discussions included increasing the intensity and scale of prisoner exchanges, as well as the return of Ukrainian children.
“Our Troops Are Carrying Out Their Tasks in the Kursk Region,” Zelenskyy Says.
“The Russians are trying to put maximum pressure on our troops, but the military command is doing what it must—preserving as many lives of our soldiers as possible,” the President stated.
According to Zelenskyy, Russia is likely escalating tensions “according to their usual playbook,” as it does before any diplomatic negotiations.
“The ball is now in Russia’s court, and as for sanctions or other pressure measures against the Russian Federation—that will depend on the American side,” he stressed.
“This will come after their dialogue with the Russians, or at least that’s how I understand the steps of ‘peace through strength.'”
The President of Ukraine expressed hope that if Russia rejects the proposal, the U.S. will act in accordance with the commitments made during the meeting in Saudi Arabia.
“No One Will Delay Anything on Purpose”: Elections Will Be Held in Accordance with Ukrainian Law After Martial Law Is Lifted, – Zelenskyy stated.
“If all this is done, then after the preparation of the plan, step-by-step implementation will lead to the end of the war. After the war ends, martial law will be lifted, and after that, elections will be held in accordance with Ukrainian law,” President Zelenskyy assured.
More main statements of the President of Ukraine:
- This is the first major constructive conversation between our teams: there is a positive result of the restoration of aid from the United States.
- I have repeatedly emphasized that none of us believes the Russians, we have been through this, but we will not play with narratives that we do not want the war to end. I am very serious and it is important for me to end the war.
- Our troops in the Kursk direction will continue to carry out their tasks, Russia is putting pressure. Our command is doing everything necessary – preserving the lives of soldiers as much as possible.
- If the Russians demonstrate that they are ready to accept America’s proposal, then I think there will be appropriate decisions, and if they are not ready, we really hope that the American side will demonstrate exactly what it said.
- As for sanctions or other pressure steps on the Russian Federation, this will depend on the American side.
- No one will recognize the occupied territories as Russian. This is the main red line.
Read also: The US calls on Russia to consider ending hostilities, – Rubio
