The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he is ready to discuss with Russia the issue of recognition of Crimea and Donbas Republics after the Ukrainian side receives security guarantees.

TASS reported, noting that Zelensky stated this during a meeting with representatives of foreign media.

“This is a very difficult issue for everyone. Both Crimea and Donbass are for everyone. And to find a way out of it, you have to take this first step, which I talked about: security guarantees, the end of the war.”

According to Zelensky, he is ready to discuss these issues at the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“At the first meeting with the President of Russia, I am ready to raise these issues, they are urgent, they are important for us. But I am sure that this decision will not be made at that meeting. Frankly speaking, we will talk about constitutional changes, changes in Ukrainian legislation on security guarantees. If we talk about this, it will be decided not only by the President, but also by Rada and the people of Ukraine,” he said.

It should be reminded that early in the morning of 24 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of a special military operation in Ukraine, aimed at ensuring the security of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics, as well as removing the “Nazi regime” in Ukraine.

The US and the EU have assessed Russia’s move as a direct aggression by Russia against Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The Verkhovna Rada has declared martial law in Ukraine.