Ceasefire stage of talks "absolutely unpredictable" – Zelensky’s Office

This was reported on national television by Mykhailo Podoliak, an advisor to the head of the Presidential Office, Ukrinform saw.

"The process is absolutely unpredictable. Regarding the negotiation process: the first four steps are on ceasefire. After that, certain negotiations can be conducted for quite a long time, but without a war going on as such. That's the problem. Because Russia cannot conduct any negotiations if they do not attack at the civilian population at the same time. Because then they will have no major arguments," Podoliak reports.

The advisor to the head of the Office emphasized that the outcome of the negotiations is influenced by three important factors.

"Firstly, this is not some small local war. The entire Russian economy has been put on military rails. And it is physically impossible to end such a war in a day or two. Secondly, we are dealing with the Russian Federation, which has not achieved the goals they set at the outset of the full-scale invasion. Of course, now Russia seeks to at least somehow and partially achieve these goals through lies and pressure... Thirdly, there is no consensus on the end of the war," Podoliak said.

He explained that the war must end on appropriate terms.

"If this is not the case, then we will see incentives for Russia to continue its expansion not only further into Ukraine, but also into the territory of others. That’s because they will understand that the war pays off," Podoliak added.

As Ukrinform reported, the White House published a statement on the outcome of the negotiations between the American and Ukrainian delegations in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). Washington and Kyiv agreed to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea.

The United States and Ukraine also agreed to develop measures to implement the agreements between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky on the prohibition of strikes on energy facilities in Russia and Ukraine.