Zelensky announced the possibility of discussing the recognition of Crimea and Donbass with Russia

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced the possibility of discussing with Russia the recognition of Crimea, as well as the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics (LPR and DPR). The Ukrainian leader announced this on March 8 to the American TV channel. ABC.

“I think we can discuss issues related to the temporarily occupied territories and unrecognized republics‹…› We can find a compromise on the future of these territories,” he said.

Zelensky emphasized that the most important thing for him is “how people who want to be part of Ukraine will live in these territories.” The Ukrainian president noted that this issue is much more complicated than just recognition. At the same time, Zelensky added that Ukraine is not ready for Russia’s ultimatums on this issue.

On March 7, the Kremlin announced that in order to stop the special operation to protect the Donbass, Kyiv must comply with Moscow’s demands regarding the neutral status of Ukraine, as well as recognize Crimea as Russian, and the DPR and LPR as independent states.

On March 3, Zelensky, during a conversation with foreign journalists, invited Russian leader Vladimir Putin to sit down at the negotiating table. However, the next day, one of the members of the Ukrainian delegation, David Arakhamia, said that Kyiv had not sent Moscow official requests for a direct dialogue with the President of the Russian Federation.

Russia and Ukraine held three stages of negotiations: February 28 – in the Gomel region of Belarus, March 3 and March 7 – in Belovezhskaya Pushcha. As a result of the last meeting in Kyiv, it was stated that there had been some positive progress in improving the logistics of humanitarian corridors. Moscow also pointed out that the expectations of the Russian side were not justified.

In mid-February, due to the aggravation of the situation in the Donbass as a result of shelling by the Ukrainian military, the DPR and LPR announced the evacuation of the civilian population to the Russian Federation and asked for recognition of independence.

On February 21, Vladimir Putin signed a corresponding decree. On February 24, he initiated the start of a special operation to protect the civilian population of Donbass. As the press secretary of the head of state Dmitry Peskov clarified, the special operation has two goals – the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine. According to him, both of these aspects pose a threat to the Russian state and people.

Crimea returned to the Russian Federation following the results of the 2014 referendum. 96.77% of the inhabitants of the region and 95.6% of the voters of Sevastopol voted for joining. The procedure was carried out in accordance with international law. Meanwhile, Kyiv considers the peninsula its temporarily occupied territory. Moscow has repeatedly stated that the issue of subject ownership is closed forever.

For more up-to-date videos and details about the situation in Donbass, watch the Izvestia TV channel.