Russia wants Ukraine to give up occupied territories, NATO and EU membership to start peace talks

Mikhail Galuzin, Russian deputy foreign minister, said in an interview with the Russian state-controlled TASS news agency that to achieve "comprehensive, just and durable peace," Ukraine should not join NATO and the EU.

Galuzin also said Ukraine must recognize the "new territorial realities," meaning it should give up Russian-occupied territories.

Following Galuzin’s claim, President Volodymyr Zelensky's Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, wrote on Telegram that Ukraine would not hold any peace talks with Russia as long as Russian troops are on Ukrainian territory.

Belgorod incursion: Meet the anti-Kremlin militia behind the attack inside Russia

Editor’s Note: The Kyiv Independent, together with a number of journalists, was taken to a location in northern Ukraine to interview the members of the units that took part in the military operation inside Russia. Not revealing the exact location was the only precondition for the interview. Norther…

The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima

Despite frequent calls from public figures and world leaders for Ukraine and Russia to negotiate a ceasefire, Ukraine’s leadership has made it clear that such negotiations must start after the complete restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

In November, Zelensky outlined his main terms.

“Restoration of territorial integrity, respect for the UN Charter, compensation for all damages caused by the war, punishment of every war criminal and guarantees that this will not happen again,” he said.

Zelensky has also said that Ukraine is open to negotiations with Russia, but only with a president other than Vladimir Putin.