'First Stop Bombing, Then Sit Down for Talks': Ukraine Prez Zelenskyy to Russia

Amid the Russian invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday, 1 March, urged the European Union to prove that the bloc stands with Ukraine, a day after Kyiv signed a formal application to join the EU.

(Photo Courtesy: Video screen grab/Instagram)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday, 1 March, said that in order for peace talks to work towards a ceasefire, Russia must first stop bombing Ukrainian cities.

"It's necessary to at least stop bombing people, just stop the bombing and then sit down at the negotiating table," he said in a joint interview to the CNN and Reuters.

He further urged the international community to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine, retaliating to statements by the US and others which had suggested that such a move would bring the US or NATO into war with Russia.

"This is not about dragging NATO countries into war. The truth is everyone has long since been dragged into war and definitely not by Ukraine, but by Russia – a large-scale war is going on," he said.

"Our partners, if they are not ready to take Ukraine into NATO... because Russia does not want Ukraine to be in NATO, should work out common security guarantees for Ukraine," Zelenskyy was quoted as saying by Reuters.

As Russia continues to wage war against Ukraine, the second round of peace negotiations between the two countries are scheduled to take place on Wednesday.

'Ukraine Fighting To Be Equal Member of Europe':  Zelenskyy at EU Session

Amid the Russian invasion, Ukrainian President Zelensky on Tuesday, urged the European Union to prove that the bloc stands with Ukraine, a day after Kyiv signed a formal application to join the EU.

Zelenskyy, addressing an emergency session of the European Parliament through a video link, said:

“We are fighting for our rights, our freedoms, our lives, and currently - for our survival. We are also fighting to be equal members of Europe. So now, prove that you are with us.”

“This brutal, massive invasion of Ukraine is unjustified, unprovoked and is based on despicable lies, and it happens for one reason only: because in Maidan Square, you made the choice of freedom, democracy and rule of law,” said European Council President Charles Michel, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion “geopolitical terrorism.”

He said that the Council will analyse the “serious, symbolic, political and, in my view, legitimate request” by Ukraine to join the EU, but added that the decision is going to be difficult.

"It is going to be difficult, we know there are different views in Europe," he was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters.

(With inputs from Reuters)