Ahead of the talks with Russia, Ukraine President Volodomyr Zelenskyy said that his priorities at the Ukrainian-Russian talks in Turkey will be "sovereignty and territorial integrity". "We are looking for peace, really, without delay. I will continue to appeal to the parliaments of other countries to remind them of the dire situation in besieged cities like Mariupol," he said. The previous day, Zelenskyy had told reporters that the issue of neutrality, and agreeing to stay out of NATO, should be put to Ukrainian voters in a referendum after Russian troops withdraw from the country.
Zelenskyy accused the West of cowardice on Sunday while another top official said Russia was trying to split the nation in two, like North and South Korea. Zelenskyy made an exasperated plea for fighter jets and tanks to sustain a defense as his country continues battling Russia's invading troops.
Russia now says its main focus is on taking control of the eastern Donbas region, an apparent pullback from its earlier, more expansive goals, but one which is raising fears of a divided Ukraine. Speaking after US President Joe Biden said in a lacerating speech that Russian President Vladimir Putin could not stay in power—words the White House immediately sought to downplay—Zelenskyy lashed out at the West's “ping-pong about who and how should hand over jets” and other weapons while Russian missile attacks kill and trap civilians.
“I have talked to the defenders of Mariupol today. I'm in constant contact with them. Their determination, heroism and firmness are astonishing,” Zelenskyy said in a video address, referring to the besieged southern city that has suffered some of the war's greatest deprivations and horrors. “If only those who have been thinking for 31 days on how to hand over dozens of jets and tanks had 1 per cent of their courage.”
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has stalled in many areas. Its aim to quickly encircle the capital, Kyiv, and force its surrender has faltered against staunch Ukrainian resistance.
