(Original title: ¡°The Territorial Question: Zelensky Prepares to Talk¡±)

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According to the Ukrainian newspaper Truth and "Russia Today" (RT), on August 22 local time, the first Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Sergei Kislic said in an interview with the US National Broadcasting Company (NBC) that the U.S. West is drafting a draft on Ukraine's security issues, and President Zelensky is ready to discuss territorial issues with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On the 23rd local time, Ukrainian President Zelensky reiterated in his Flag Day speech that Ukraine will not hand over its land to "occupiers".

In an interview with NBC, Kisselitz talked about the security issues of the West for Ukraine.

He noted that U.S. officials were working "very hard" to draft an agreement. "Ideally, we might get drafts sometime early next week, and then... the political leadership has to decide what we do with those drafts."

Regarding the bilateral meeting between Russia and Ukraine, Kislyica said that Zelensky is prepared to discuss territorial issues in direct talks with Putin.

¡°I think the position of President Zelensky is very clear, based on the current legal framework in Ukraine and the public sentiment,¡± said Kislić, ¡°the strong opposition of the Ukrainian people to land in exchange for peace has been clearly expressed during the meeting in Washington.¡±

Zelensky also made it clear that he was ¡°prepared to sit down with President Putin to discuss¡± territorial issues, he said at the same time that the current Russian-Ukrainian ¡°contact line¡± should be the starting point for negotiations.

While Ukrainian leaders have publicly rejected the idea of making any territorial concessions to Russia, previous reports have suggested that Zelensky may agree to freeze the current frontline as part of a possible solution.

Screenshot of Kislita's interview with NBC on the 22nd

On August 18, local time, accompanied by a number of European leaders, Ukrainian President Zelensky went to the White House to meet with US President Trump. After the meeting, all parties stated that if all goes well, bilateral meetings between Russia and Ukraine and tripartite talks between the United States, Russia and Ukraine will be held soon.

However, from the current point of view, there is still a lot of uncertainty in the bilateral meeting and the trilateral talks themselves. So far, the parties have not reached an agreement on the issue of Ukraine's security guarantee, as well as the agenda of the meeting such as Ukraine's non-accession to NATO and Russia-Ukraine "territorial exchange".

Russia reportedly occupies about a fifth of Ukraine's territory. Trump previously said that "territorial exchange" is crucial to any Russia-Ukraine solution. Reuters stated that Ukraine opposes the cession of any territory, but Kiev currently lacks the military capabilities to retake all Russian-controlled areas, and its diplomatic bargaining chips to force Russia to withdraw its troops in the short term are also limited.

On August 17, Zelensky stressed that he was willing to negotiate with Russian President Putin in the future in the talks brokered by Trump. he said: ¡°Given the importance of the territorial issue, it should only be discussed by the leaders of Ukraine and Russia in the tripartite talks in Ukraine, the United States and Russia.¡±

According to the Ukrainian News Agency, on the 23rd local time, Zelensky delivered a speech at the celebration of the Ukrainian Flag Day. He pointed out that Ukraine will not hand over its land to "occupiers." He also said that the national society has reached a broad consensus that only by working hand in hand with Ukraine can "the security of 's country be ensured".

Zelensky delivered a speech on the 23rd. Ukraine News Agency

European countries have been strongly demanding security guarantees for Ukraine and calling on the United States to participate. However, US Vice President Vance pointed out on the 20th that European countries will have to pay "most" of the expenses for Ukraine's security. US media quoted sources as saying that senior Pentagon policy officials told allies that the United States would play a minimal role in Ukraine's security.

Earlier on the 22nd, in an exclusive interview with NBC, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov hinted that Ukraine was blocking the meeting. He said that Putin will only meet with Zelensky when the agenda is ready, but the current agenda is "completely unready."

Lavrov mentioned that US President Trump put forward several suggestions, including Ukraine not joining NATO and Russia and Ukraine discussing territorial issues. In this regard, Russia "agreed", but Zelensky "said'no 'to all suggestions."

At the same time, however, Ukraine blamed Russia for the difficulty of a bilateral meeting. Mr. Zelensky said on the 21st that he was "ready" to meet with Mr. Putin, but that Russia was "trying to evade" the meeting and launch a large-scale attack on Ukraine.

Trump told reporters on Monday that he would make an ¡°important¡± decision on Ukraine¡¯s peace process within two weeks, when he could impose mass sanctions on Russia, or not take any action, he said: ¡°Let¡¯s see if Putin and Zelensky can cooperate. You know, it¡¯s a bit like oil and vinegar, they don¡¯t get along very well, the reasons are obvious.¡±

Further reading:

Lukashenko refutes Ukrainian President's remarks: It is difficult to achieve lasting peace without China's participation

Ukrainian President Zelensky said on Monday that Ukraine does not need China as one of the nations providing security.According to the latest report by the Belarusian news agency, Belarus President Lukashenko dismissed Zelensky's discontent with China in an interview in Minsk on 22rd.

Asked whether Belarus could become a security country for Ukraine, Lukashenko replied: ¡°Often, security discussions involve permanent members of the (UN) Security Council. This includes big nations like the United States and China, as well as major European nations that are not members of the Security Council, and even including Belarus. But when someone puts this idea in private to me, I had to ask: Is it really in our interest to provide such security to another country?¡±

On the 22nd local time, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko gave a media interview in Minsk. Photo source: Belarusian News Agency

Regarding the composition of the security state, Zelensky mentioned his reluctance to include China and claimed that China failed to prevent the outbreak of ¡°war¡±.

"As if China should have intervened to stop the war!" Lukashenko said in response to Zelensky's remarks: "The responsibility for avoiding war lies entirely with yourselves. It must be clear: Without the participation and guarantee of China, a permanent member of the Security Council, it is extremely difficult to achieve lasting peace in any part of the world. Zelensky should think twice before speaking rashly."

On August 22, at the regular press conference of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Russian media reporter asked: On August 20, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated that Russia supports providing strong security guarantees for Ukraine and does not rule out the inclusion of Western countries. Members of the United Nations Security Council and China provide so-called guarantees. But yesterday Zelensky said that Ukraine does not need China as one of the countries providing security guarantees. What is China's comment on this?

Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said: China has always maintained an objective and fair position on the Ukrainian crisis, which is open and open for all to see. All parties concerned should promote a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis based on a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept. China is willing to play a constructive role in this regard.