Zelensky: We Are Ready for Dialogue, but Only After Reaching Recognized International Borders

Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, emphasized on Saturday, July 1, during a press conference alongside Pedro Sanchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, that "Ukraine will only be ready to join a diplomatic settlement mechanism after its armed forces reach the internationally recognized borders of 1991." He had previously stated that the leadership of Russia views any negotiations as an opportunity to gather strength and expand aggression, thus diplomatic talks are impossible as long as Russian forces are present on Ukrainian soil. Zelensky also warned of a "serious threat" at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is occupied by Russia, adding that Russia is "technically" prepared to create a limited explosion at this facility. The Ukrainian President called for increased international attention to this plant, as it is the largest civilian nuclear facility in Europe, as well as sanctions against the Russian state nuclear company, Rosatom. On the other hand, Vasily Nebenzya, the Russian ambassador to the United Nations, described Ukraine's claims as "ridiculous". Russia denies any allegations of attacks or sabotage at the Zaporizhzhia plant. Both sides involved in the war have accused each other of shelling near this facility. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, launched the largest military invasion on European soil since the end of World War II on February 24, 2022, sending a force of two hundred thousand soldiers to Ukraine.