Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has defined Kyiv's "red lines" for the forthcoming peace talks concerning the ongoing conflict with Russia.

According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy, during a meeting with territorial community leaders in the Chernihiv region of northern Ukraine, highlighted that preserving the current size of Ukraine's army would be a paramount concern in the negotiations. He stressed the importance of maintaining the army, which has tripled in size since the beginning of the war, and emphasized the need for modernization.

Zelenskyy also underlined Ukraine's firm stance against recognizing territories currently under Russian control as part of Russia. He reiterated that a fair resolution would only be accomplished when all Ukrainian territories are returned. He acknowledged that for some regions, diplomatic efforts might be the sole method for their return over time.

The President questioned which international partners would support Ukraine in these efforts, suggesting that the response would reflect the dignity and morality of those partners.

Regarding Ukraine's potential NATO membership, Zelenskyy confirmed that it remains a topic of negotiation, despite some opposition within the alliance. He emphasized the necessity of obtaining guarantees akin to NATO's protection while Ukraine is not yet a member, highlighting the importance of support from international partners.

Zelenskyy also revealed ongoing discussions with various countries about deploying naval and aerial contingents in Ukraine, though he refrained from providing additional specifics.