Neutrality and the size of our army are not up for discussion; Ukraine's security guarantees cannot be dictated by the Russians, – the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated.
According to him, the Russians also raise the issue of security guarantees for themselves in talks with the US, but he does not know the details of these discussions.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, called the conversation in Oslo productive and substantive.
According to him, intelligence regarding ballistic strikes is working at 100%, and on Saturday at 05:20 AM – after a long period of "emotional dialogue" between Ukraine and the US – Starlink resumed operation.
Due to the "emotional dialogue," Ukraine faced three challenges: a deficit of air defense; Starlink restrictions, and restrictions on intelligence data from the US.
"Two issues have been resolved, the air defense issue remains. We have the right result, we came out with what we need," the President emphasized.
Furthermore, following the results of the negotiations in Oslo, the American side held a meeting in St. Petersburg. The Americans confirmed that Putin agreed to a meeting of groups in November and that both sides (Ukraine and the Russian Federation) are ready for a trilateral meeting. It is important for Ukraine that Europe is represented.
Commenting on the developments developed by the American side and handed over to Putin (the Witkoff document), Zelensky noted that Ukraine cannot talk about a neutral status for the state and limitations on the Ukrainian army.
He refused to delve deeply into "red lines" due to agreements with the US, but highlighted key principles:
• Neutrality and army size are not discussed: Ukraine's security guarantees cannot be dictated by the Russians. The size of the AFU is exclusively an internal issue for Ukraine and its relationship with NATO (if Ukraine is in the Alliance, the size could be 800,000 or less depending on funding).
• The issue of territories: Discussion of the territorial issue (what the Americans call "swap the territory") is possible exclusively at the level of leaders. Other issues are discussed at the level of technical groups.
• Security guarantees: If Ukraine is not in NATO (where Article 5 applies), the US and Europeans must take on guarantees that Russia will not launch aggression again.
"This is not a plan brought to Putin for approval, because all parties decide. There are proposals for discussion from the American side, which they are discussing with us," Zelenskyy explained.
Commenting on the reasons for Putin's agreement to the negotiations, Zelenskyy allowed for the possibility of agreements unknown to him, but expressed a clear stance on lifting restrictions on the Russian Federation.
"I would not want us to approach the meeting of the three leaders with all sanctions lifted from the Russian Federation. Sanctions were imposed for aggression, not for the opportunity to have a chat. Therefore, we can only link the lifting of sanctions to the end of the war, diplomacy, understanding how to rebuild the state, and security guarantees. I have a feeling that when we talk about Russia's loyalty – it does not need to be bought at such a price," Zelenskyy stated.
When asked what Putin must do to show a real desire to end the war, the President named a specific first step: "An energy truce as a first step. This is a signal. If it is not there – a trilateral meeting at the level of leaders. It can take place."
Zelenskyy also spoke about strikes on Russian oil refineries, noting that Ukrainian strikes did not affect world prices, since the share of diesel export from the Russian Federation in global terms is only 2%. This is a matter of strength and justice in response to the enemy's actions.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine offered partners clear alternatives and options to resolve the situation:
1. Energy truce: If partners want a cessation of strikes on Russian diesel and oil refineries, the Russian Federation must stop strikes on Ukrainian energy.
2. Opening of Starlink: Opening the coverage zone over the territory of the Russian Federation to destroy the launchers of Russian ballistic missiles, the locations of which are known to Ukraine.
3. Missiles for Patriot: If the Starlink coverage zone is not opened (citing Elon Musk's position), provide Ukraine with additional missiles for Patriot air defense systems.
"And what did we get? At the moment, we got nothing. That is, the sanctions were lifted, additional missiles for Patriot were not given, and Starlink's speed was reduced. That's why the reaction is corresponding, we are fighting for our lives," Zelenskyy concluded.
