Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine begin: Zelenskyy announced to attend

Speaking at a press conference in Oslo with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Zelenskyy argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin 'should stop making unnecessary demands that prolong the war.' Moscow's demands included a complete halt to military aid to Ukraine and the elimination of the possibility of NATO membership. The Ukrainian leader stated that abandoning NATO membership would be a major gain for Russia and that they do not wish to accept this demand.

Rejecting claims that the White House intends to transfer Ukraine's nuclear power plants to the U.S., Zelenskyy emphasized that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant belongs to the Ukrainian people. Zelenskyy added that he is open to the possibility of the U.S. modernizing or investing in the plant.

According to a BBC report, Zelenskyy noted that the Ukrainian delegation at the talks in Saudi Arabia will present a list of infrastructure facilities they want protected from Russian attacks to the U.S. The Ukrainian leader said that the first phase of a ceasefire should begin on land and at sea.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated that they want assurances that Ukraine will abandon NATO membership and remain neutral. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, meanwhile, expressed that the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO is 'not realistic.'

During this period of ongoing war, two people lost their lives in Ukraine in attacks carried out overnight. Drone attacks launched by Ukraine resulted in 10 people being injured and damage to an airport in Russia.

MILITARY AID REQUEST

Demanding at least 5 billion euros in artillery shell support from European leaders, Zelenskyy emphasized that the EU should play an active role in the peace talks. In a speech he recently delivered to EU leaders via video conference in Brussels, the Ukrainian leader called for the continuation of military aid.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, evaluating Zelenskyy's requests, stated that security arrangements must be ensured for any peace agreement to be lasting. Starmer proposed the formation of a 'coalition of volunteers' to ensure peace in Ukraine.

Starmer's statement came after a meeting attended by high-level military officials from more than 20 countries. Claiming that Putin has violated agreements in the past, Starmer stated that preparations must be made to prevent a similar situation from occurring.