During an interview with US broadcaster NBC News, Zelensky was asked about American media reports that the United States and the European Union were conducting secret talks with Kyiv on possible peace negotiations with Russia.
The Ukrainian president said his administration was refusing to talk to Russia because "the terrorists' word means nothing."
"For today, I don't have any relations with Russia - and they know my position, that is the position of my country, that is the position of our people," Zelensky said. "We don't want to make any dialogue with terrorists - and the President of the United States, and Congress, bipartisan support; all these people, they know that I am not ready to talk to terrorists because their word is nothing. Nothing! We can't trust terrorists - because the terrorists always come back."
Zelensky was also asked about the course of the war. He admitted that the situation on the frontlines was difficult, but disagreed with the claim that the war was stuck in a stalemate.
The Ukrainian president said that the Russians, when attacking Ukrainian positions, were suffering heavy losses in people and equipment.
He told NBC News that the Russians were happy about the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as it diverted the world's attention from the war in Ukraine.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Monday is day 621 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
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Source: IAR, NBC News, ukrinform.net