Decision on any talks with Putin must be made by Zelensky personally – U.S. State Department

This is how State Department spokesman Matthew Miller commented on the UAE prosal to organize a meeting of the Ukraine and Russia leaders at the C28 climate conference in Dubai, Ukrinform's own correspondent reports.

"With respect to any meeting between Presidents Zelensky and President Putin, I would say that is a decision for President Zelensky to make. We have made clear that Ukraine is in the driver's seat when it comes to deciding the future of Ukraine and that is true with respect to any potential negotiations," the representative of the State Department noted.

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At the same time, according to him, the Ukrainian side clearly emphasized that it is en to negotiations with Russia that will respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

"But the impediment has always been and continues to be that Vladimir Putin has not renounced his imperialist aims, has not renounced his belief that Ukraine is not a real country in his words. And has not withdrawn his tros from beyond Ukraine's borders.," Miller noted.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the U.S. Department of State categorically denied allegations voiced by the Russian side that the United States allegedly dissuaded Kyiv from hding peace talks with Russia.