“This is a very difficult story for everyone, both Crimea and Donbass… And to find some way out, we need to take that first step, which I spoke about: security guarantees, the end of the war,” Zelenskyy said in an interview for European and Ukrainian television.

The president expressed his willingness to discuss those issues with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

“At the first meeting with the president of Russia, I am ready to raise these issues, they are relevant and important for us. But I am sure that such a decision will not be made at that meeting,” he stressed.

Zelenskyy explained that a discussion on security guarantees will involve constitutional changes. “And if we talk about this, it will be decided in any case not only by the president, but also by the Rada (Parliament) and the people of Ukraine.”

Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine on February 24 in response to a request for help of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) in the face of the increased attacks from Kiev.

Earlier, Moscow recognized the independence and sovereignty of both territories and signed treaties of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with the leaders of the DPR and LPR, including establishing diplomatic relations and providing military aid.

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