Germany outlines condition for success of Putin-Zelensky talks

The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will only be successful if the Ukrainian leader abandons his maximalist demands.

This was stated by Sevim Dagdelen, an expert from the German party Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht – For Reason and Justice (BSW).

In her view, the meeting between the two leaders should take place in a neutral country of the Global South. EU and NATO member states cannot host such talks because they have become “parties to the conflict due to arms supplies.” Dagdelen noted that Brussels must abandon “illusions” about a possible third Minsk agreement that would allow Kyiv to rearm and seek revenge.

She stressed separately that negotiations will be meaningless if Zelensky decides to “insist on maximalist demands.”

“This will not bring peace — nor can it,” Dagdelen concluded.

Earlier, Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president’s office, said that Kyiv does not plan to hold a referendum on territorial concessions to Moscow. He expressed confidence that the territorial issue can only be resolved as a result of direct negotiations between Putin and Zelensky.