In comments to reporters, Zelensky said he was willing to hold talks anywhere except Russia or its close ally Belarus, according to the Reuters news agency.
His remarks came after Moscow recently reiterated its demand that Ukraine surrender additional territory as a condition for a ceasefire.
US President Donald Trump last week put on hold plans for a summit in Budapest with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump has backed Ukraine’s call for an immediate ceasefire along current front lines.
“It’s absolutely clear that we’re approaching diplomacy only from the position where we currently stand,” Zelensky said, as quoted by Reuters.
"We will not take any steps back and leave one part of our state or another," he added.
Zelensky said he could attend peace talks in Hungary despite reservations about the stance of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who he said “blocks everything for Ukraine.”
“If there will be results, then God bless — let the talks take place anywhere,” Zelensky said, according to Reuters.
“It almost doesn’t matter, just not in Russia, of course, and definitely not in Belarus.”
Zelensky also urged US lawmakers to approve tougher restrictions on Russia after Trump imposed sanctions on Moscow’s two largest oil companies, Reuters reported.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in an interview published by The Sunday Times that he has no doubt Ukraine will defend its independence against Russia’s invasion, despite Moscow’s determination to continue the war.
Last week, Zelensky called on European allies to supply Ukraine with long-range weapons after he failed to secure a commitment from Trump for Tomahawk missiles during a meeting at the White House on October 17.
Trump declined to provide the missiles, saying the move could escalate the conflict and might not be needed if he can reach a peace deal with Putin.
Zelensky said last Thursday that Ukraine was in talks with European countries that also possess long-range weapons, including Tomahawk missiles, and could potentially supply them.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, starting the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.
Tuesday marks the 1,343rd day of the war.
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Source: Reuters, IAR, PAP