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.

Moscow and Kyiv have not held direct negotiations since March 2022, soon after the start of Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine.