In a surprising move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested that planned peace talks with Russia scheduled for this Sunday have been postponed. What this really means is that Ukraine is unwilling to compromise its position and is doubling down on its demands for a full Russian withdrawal before any negotiations can take place.

Kyiv Waits for Moscow to Clarify Terms

According to reports from The Independent, Zelensky's top adviser Andrii Yermak said Ukraine is "ready to attend the next meeting, but we want to engage in a constructive discussion." The key sticking point is that Ukraine is still waiting for Russia to provide a promised memorandum outlining its position on ending the over three-year-old conflict.

The bigger picture here is that Kyiv is unwilling to enter talks without a clear understanding of Moscow's terms. As the BBC reported, Zelensky has accused Russia of "doing everything it can to ensure the next possible meeting is fruitless." Ukraine wants a full, unconditional ceasefire before any meaningful negotiations can take place.

Roadmap for Peace Unveiled

In a sign of Ukraine's seriousness, Reuters has revealed that Ukrainian negotiators plan to present Russia with a detailed roadmap for a lasting peace settlement. This would start with a 30-day ceasefire, followed by prisoner exchanges and a summit between Zelensky and Putin.

The proposed terms diverge significantly from Russia's previous demands, making it clear that Ukraine will not accept anything less than a complete withdrawal and reparations. With both sides dug into their positions, the path to peace remains uncertain, but Zelensky is demonstrating that Ukraine will not back down without getting the terms it desires.