New Delhi, Mar 18 (EFE).- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Tuesday in India that his country was primarily interested in achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace in the conflict with Russia, and that the recent talks held in Jeddah with the US have opened new prospects for ending the war this year.
At the Raisina Dialogue, a geopolitical forum in New Delhi, Sybiha highlighted the importance of the talks in Jeddah, where a Ukrainian delegation met with representatives of the US and where, according to the minister, agreements were reached that have boosted hopes for peace.
“After (the meeting in) Jeddah, we got another speed and new, additional opportunities to end this war, this year. And we are ready for this. We are not the obstacle to achieve peace. Lets see what is the response from Russian side to a ceasefire,” he said.
These remarks come just days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy formally appointed a delegation for possible peace negotiations, led by the head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, and also including Sybiha.
One of the key points of Sybiha’s remarks at the Raisina Dialogue was Ukraine’s firmness regarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“(There will be) No compromises at the cost of Ukrainian territorial integrity and sovereignty…No third country has the right to block our will or our right to participate in any union, in any alliances; this is our principal position. We will never recognize any part of territories occupied by Russians,” he said.
Sybiha also expressed optimism about the potential for US leadership to achieve peace, alluding to Zelenskyy’s statements in Kyiv.
“We also do really believe that with leadership of President Trump we could achieve long-lasting, just peace,” the minister added.
Zelenskyy said in his press conference that he was confident that if Russia rejected US’ ceasefire proposal, Trump’s stance toward Putin would be “clear, tough, and direct.”
The Ukrainian foreign minister addressed his country’s willingness to cooperate with the US in the area of mineral resources.
“About Ukrainian mineral resources and about our possible agreement with the United States, we are ready to sign such type of agreement. We conducted several rounds of negotiations, and the framework agreement is ready for signature. In Jeddah, we proposed that the American side sign this agreement,” he explained.
Despite Russian progress on the ground, Sybiha assured that the strategic situation remained under control.
“Russia didn’t manage to achieve any strategic goal in Ukraine. Yes, they have made some advances because of different reasons but strategically the situation is under control. However, now is the time for diplomacy,” he said. EFE
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