Zelenskyy spoke with Russian media outlets, saying that his country is open to guaranteeing Ukraine’s neutrality and its nuclear-free status, but its representatives will not sign any agreement until Russian troops withdraw from the country. The Ukrainian president also said that the entire process hinges on him personally meeting with Putin and the Ukrainian people agreeing to a referendum to change the Constitution – a referendum that cannot take place while Russian troops remain in Ukraine.

“We must have agreements with President Putin. The guarantors will not sign anything if the troops are not withdrawn,” Zelenskyy said, according to the presidential office. A personal meeting would be “enough to start the process of troops withdrawal.”

“The troops must be withdrawn, the guarantors will sign everything, and all this will start working. Ratifications in parliaments, a referendum in several months, and only then – amendments to the Constitution,” the president explained.