Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kyiv remains willing to enter negotiations, but only if Russia pulls its forces back to Ukraine’s internationally recognized 1991 borders. He said any eventual agreement must also include reliable security guarantees for Ukraine.

The comments set a clear condition for diplomacy as the war continues to grind on, with Ukrainian leaders insisting that talks cannot come at the expense of sovereignty or territorial integrity. Zelenskiy’s statement underscores Kyiv’s position that peace cannot be separated from Russian withdrawal.

Ukraine’s demand reflects its long-standing rejection of any settlement that would legitimize territorial gains made by force. By tying negotiations to a full pullback, Zelenskiy signaled that Kyiv still wants a diplomatic path forward, but only on terms that protect the country’s independence and future security.