Zelenskyy wants Russia to attend the next Ukraine summit

After attempts at negotiations between Russia and Ukraine broke down early in the war, both sides have avoided direct peace talks.

But dozens of world leaders have voiced support for finding a just solution following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for a summit in Switzerland last month. Russia was not invited to that meeting.

At a press conference in Kyiv following last week’s NATO summit, Zelenskyj opened up for direct talks with the Russians.

– I think Russian representatives should participate in a second summit, said the president while talking regarding the preparations for a follow-up meeting with Ukraine’s allies. He announced separate meetings on topics such as energy and food security, to be held in Qatar and Turkey respectively, for a new summit.

Zelenskyj said meetings will also be held in Canada on prisoner exchange and humanitarian issues.

Positive for negotiations

A poll published on Monday suggests that Ukrainians are positive regarding negotiating with Russia. 43 percent – a majority of those who have made up their minds on the matter – say they are in favor of negotiations, while 35 percent are once morest it. 21 percent answer that they do not know.

The survey, which was carried out by the renowned research institute Razumkov Centre, shows that it is particularly people in the south and central part of the country who are positive regarding starting official negotiations. Respectively, 49 and 60 per cent say yes to negotiations in the two regions.

Requires 25 Patriot batteries

At the same time, Zelenskyy reiterates that Ukraine needs 25 Patriot air defense systems to secure the entire country.

He did not state how many of these air defense systems are already in place.