President Zelensky: We are ready to discuss with Russia the adoption of a “non-nuclear” and neutral situation to end the war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Sunday that his country is ready to discuss the adoption of a non-nuclear and neutral situation as part of a peace deal with Russia,, which is included within security guarantees for Ukraine from all guarantors, to end the war.
This came in an interview in which he revealed to Russian media that “peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are continuing,” and described the country’s non-nuclear situation as the most important issue on the agenda, stressing his country’s readiness to be a country free of nuclear weapons.
It is noteworthy that Ukraine has not had nuclear weapons since 1996 after it agreed to give up its Soviet nuclear arsenal on the condition that its borders be respected under the Budapest Memorandum, which was signed by the United States, the United Kingdom and Russia.
However, Moscow may seek assurances that nuclear weapons will not be deployed in Ukraine in the future, for example by NATO.
Hours after the Ukrainian president’s statements, Moscow authorities had pre-emptively warned Russian media to refrain from reporting.
The statement indicated that “an investigation was opened to determine the degree of responsibility and take response measures,” without specifying which media outlets are being verified.
On February 24, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine, which was followed by angry international reactions and the imposition of tough economic and financial sanctions on Moscow.
To end the operation, Russia requires Ukraine to abandon any plans to join military entities, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and to adhere to complete neutrality, which Kyiv considers an “interference in its sovereignty.”
