Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Russian journalists on Sunday, saying his country is prepared to discuss adopting neutral status as part of a peace deal with Russia.
In the 90-minute video, Zelenskyy said any agreement made between the two countries would need to be guaranteed by third parties and put to a referendum, but they are willing, CNBC reported.
"Security guarantees and neutrality, non-nuclear status of our state. We are ready to go for it. This is the most important point," Zelenskyy said
The move from Zelenskyy comes after a month of fighting off Russian forces from invading his country and numerous failed negotiation attempts.
The announcement also comes on the heels of President Joe Biden's visit to Europe in which he said that Russian President Vladimir Putin "cannot remain in power."
White House officials have clarified that Biden was not suggesting a regime change in the nation as the Kremlin took shots at his comments saying that Russia's ruler is "not to be decided by Mr. Biden."
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shared from Israel that Biden was not suggesting plans to oust Putin.
"As you know, and as you have heard us say repeatedly, we do not have a strategy of regime change in Russia — or anywhere else, for that matter," Blinken said.
If Russia and Ukraine are able to come to terms on a cease-fire, it would be an end to a month-long war that has displaced millions and killed thousands.
Related
