During a phone conversation with US President Joseph Biden, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the possibility of creating another platform with the United States for negotiations with the Russian Federation on ending the war in Donbas and restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity. The Head of State spoke about this in an interview for 1 + 1 TV channel.
"The United States will be interested in a role in the Normandy format if it really decides something important, not just moderating the process or watching from the sidelines. It can also be a separate platform that can cooperate with the “Normandy Four". This may be a single plan, where some issues are discussed on a separate platform, where, for example, Ukraine, the United States and Russia are present, and some very important things are discussed in the Normandy format,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The President noted that it is important for Ukraine not to lose the Normandy format, because our country's partners are really interested in resolving the conflict in Donbas.
"Emmanuel Macron is interested. Today he is one of the leaders of Europe, who is clearly interested in the development and implementation of the Normandy format. That's why his reaction is very important to me. I will soon meet the new Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz. Today I have a reaction that everyone stands for having several ways, everyone wants as many countries as possible to do everything possible to stop the war in the east of Ukraine," he said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also stressed that he did not rule out a separate format of direct talks with the President of the Russian Federation.
"I see support for this direction from both our European partners and the United States," the President said.
At the same time, according to the President, in his conversation with Joseph Biden, there were no proposals to conduct a direct dialogue between Ukraine and the leaders of the so-called illegal groups in Donbas. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also added that Emmanuel Macron constantly emphasizes that Ukraine should not be left alone with representatives of illegal armed groups, as the Russian Federation wants.
The Head of State noted that during the talks with the American leader it was agreed that Ukraine would be a subject and participant in any meetings with the participation of other states concerning our country.
The President of Ukraine said that during a conversation with Joseph Biden, he received a message of assurances from Russia that it is not going to continue the escalation as regards the territories of our state.
"It seems to me that this is a small and not final, but still very important result. We have done everything to make Russia tell the United States that it is not going to invade (Ukraine - ed.)," he said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that today it is difficult to get specifics about this situation, because the President of Russia is interested in talks with the President of the United States and is not interested in talks with anyone else.
"We have united everyone, and everyone understands that a serious package of sanctions is being prepared in case of any challenges, any, even small, escalation from Russia," the Head of State stressed.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also reminded that all current powerful sanctions remain in force, even though other states suffer because of this sanctions policy.
Asked about the possibility of holding a referendum on the special status of certain districts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the President said that he does not rule out the possibility of a "referendum on Donbas as a whole" as part of a number of agreements, but today such an expression of will is not considered.
"It could be about Donbas, about Crimea, it could be about ending the war in general. This or that country may offer us certain conditions. This is not the case today. That is, I have no secrets from society here. I would not joke with such things. But if there is such a difficult challenge, I will definitely consult with our society," the President said.
At the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine will definitely not give up its territories.