The question of whether a Putin-Zelensky meeting could lead to a diplomatic solution in Ukraine is attempted to be answered by the BBC's correspondent in Kiev.
"As the Ukrainian president has once again stressed the need for talks with his Russian counterpart to end this war, it is difficult to know where they might lead," he says.
He adds that while Volodymyr Zelensky says he is willing to discuss with Putin the territorial integrity of the country including the independence of the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, one of his officials stresses that there will be no concessions in these areas.
Furthermore, Zelensky said that he would like any compromise - regarding sovereignty and security (such as possible alliances with other states) to be put to a referendum for the Ukrainian people to decide.
Over the years, the more aggressive Russia becomes towards Ukraine, the stronger the Ukrainians' sense of national identity becomes politically, intensifying the shift towards the West, the BBC underlines.
And he wonders whether the brutality of this war and the thirst for peace can change public opinion?"
"For there to be any kind of diplomatic outcome, Zelensky is pinning his hopes on Putin attempting to minimise further casualties, especially if he goes so far as to send reinforcements consisting of less-trained soldiers to the front.
Source: skai.gr
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