The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky has invited the Russian President, Vladimir Putin to dialogue with a view to ending the devastating war between their countries.
In a video interview released on Saturday, BBC quotes Zelensky as calling on his Russian counterpart to meet for talks and end hostilities.
Russian military had, on the instruction of its President, Vladimir Putin, invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching a military operation against its neighbour.
On March 16, Russia told Ukraine it was ready to halt military operations if it meets some listed conditions.
Among the conditions are that Ukraine cease military action and amend its constitution to enshrine neutrality.
Russia also wants Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian territory, and the separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk as independent states.
So far, negotiations between the two countries have failed to yield positive results and hostilities have continued with human and other casualties from both sides.
But in Saturday’s video, Zelenskyy said he wants everyone, especially Moscow to hear him and work for peace.
“We have always insisted on negotiations. We have offered dialogue, offered solutions for peace not just for 23 days of the invasion,” he said.
“And I want everyone to hear me now, especially in Moscow. It is time to meet, time to talk. It is time to restore territorial integrity and justice for Ukraine.”
Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy (born 25 January 1978) is a Ukrainian politician, former actor and comedian, who is the sixth and current president of Ukraine.
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