Ukraine Open to Talks but Firm Against Surrender, Says Deputy PM
(Reuters) - Ukraine is ready to negotiate but not to surrender, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Wednesday as details emerged in media reports of a U.S. proposal for a deal which would see Ukraine give up almost all territory currently occupied by Russia.
"There will be no agreement that hands Russia the stronger foundations it needs to regroup and return with greater violence," Svyrydenko wrote on X.
"Our people will not accept a frozen conflict disguised as peace," she added.
Media outlets have this week reported details of a broad proposal by Washington for a deal between Kyiv and Moscow which proposes the formal recognition of the occupied Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea as Russian as well as Moscow keeping de facto control of most captured Ukrainian territory.
On the other hand, Ukraine has pushed for a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire with negotiations proceeding after it is established.
"A full ceasefire - on land, in the air, and at sea - is the necessary first step," Svyrydenko said, adding that if Moscow instead opted for a limited pause, Kyiv would respond in kind.
(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa, writing by Max Hunder, editing by Andrew Heavens, Alexandra Hudson)
