United States Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker has said he supports a direct dialogue between Ukrainian President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"Well, I think what he [Zelensky] has said about the conflict and about his approach is exactly right so far. He strongly supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He wants to get the land back. He's not going to be giving that way," Volker told The PBS NewsHour, a U.S. hour-long evening news broadcast.
Read alsoU.S. envoy Volker on further support of Ukraine: U.S. here for long haul
"It is necessary for Ukraine and Russia to have direct discussions, and so I think his desire to speak to Putin is a good thing, not a bad thing," he said.
According to Volker, Putin's relationship with Poroshenko got so bad, maybe Zelensky represents an opportunity.
"One hopes that this is, because it's a new president, just an opportunity for a fresh start at dialogue, although it's Russia's position of invading and occupying territory that's really what's needed to change," he added.
As UNIAN reported earlier, on April 7, Volodymyr Zelensky declared his readiness to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but noted he did not intend to sacrifice the integrity of Ukrainian territory at these negotiations.
Earlier, Volker said there was a personal enmity between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.
