Critical not to give peace initiative to Russia - Zelensky

This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelensky during a joint press conference in Berlin with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Ukrinform reports.

"It is important not to give the (peace - ed.) initiative to Russia, because the Russian initiative, its vision of ending the war, was demonstrated on the day of the invasion. Their vision is the occupation of our state," Zelensky said. 

The president considers the very fact of the first inaugural Peace Summit being held in Switzerland on June 15-16 a success.

"The very fact of holding such a summit is already a success. It will not bring peace or the end to the war. This is a path, unfortunately. But we will walk it. I am sure of it. We will achieve peace, and this is the first step. It is very important. We already know the parallels – meetings are being organized at various levels on the territory of Russia in order to build up some other initiative. Therefore, our meeting is a success," Zelensky noted.

Also, according to the president, it is important that the initiative is not seized by any other state "because it will not be fair as it’s we who are at war."

"At the same time, I will emphasize once again, we are very open. If we want to rally a large number of states, we need to hear them out," Zelensky said.

As reported earlier, the Global Peace Summit will be held in the town of Bürgenstock in Switzerland on June 15-16. It is expected that representatives of more than a hundred countries from all continents will take part in the event.