The president’s comments came after he said Crimea “will stay with Russia,” a position backed by the mayor of Kyiv, who conceded that his country may have to give up territory.

Ukraine and the US will hold in-person negotiations. However, this will take place after documents that both sides can agree on are developed, stated Deputy Head of the Office of the President Ihor Brusylov.

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that his country would be ready to hold talks with Russia in any format once a ceasefire deal is in place and the fighting has stopped. Zelenskyy,