Zelensky: "We are ready to talk about peace based on the principle ‘we stand where we stand’"

"We are ready for real compromises. But not for compromises at the cost of our independence and sovereignty. We are ready to talk about compromises with the United States. But not to receive ultimatums from russians again and again. They are the aggressor. Everyone has recognized this. This has not changed. Many countries that were mediators or tried to be mediators from the very beginning of this war, especially in the Middle East and Asia, as well as other states — all recognize that russia is the aggressor", - President Zelensky said in an interview with Kyodo News, excerpts of which were published on the Head of State’s Telegram channel on February 20.

"That is why our compromise already lies in the fact that we are talking to the aggressor about compromises. They have seized almost 20% of our territory. And we are ready to talk about peace now based on the principle ‘we stand where we stand’. This is a big compromise", - Zelensky emphasized.

"What is russia offering us as a compromise? What are they ready for? They said: ‘We are ready not to occupy your other regions’. But this is terrorism. Even these words themselves are terrorism. ‘I am ready not to kill you — give us everything’. What does that mean? This is not a compromise. This is an ultimatum. That is why I said: ‘We are ready for compromises that respect Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, our army, our people, and our children. But we are not ready for ultimatums’", -Zelensky stated.