Zelensky to BNR: 'Talks are the first steps towards peace'
Author : BNR Web Editors
Even after the disastrous talks in Turkey, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains hopeful for a positive outcome for his country. Zelensky told BNR reporter Geert Jan Hahn. 'We are doing our best to do things a little better each time.'

After a meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Hahn asked Zelensky how he was doing. According to the Ukrainian president, better times are coming: 'We are doing our best to do things a little better each time. For ourselves, for our people, for our safety. That's what I hope.'

First step
According to Zelensky, the talks in Turkey are 'a first step' towards peace. 'Every day can yield something, a step towards peace.'

The talks in Turkey did not go as Zelensky had envisioned. For example, he intended to negotiate directly with President Putin. The delegation that the Kremlin eventually sent called Ukraine a "fake delegation."

Prisoner exchange
To make matters worse for Ukraine, the talks in Istanbul stalled after just an hour, after Russia allegedly made impossible demands for Ukraine. The agreed prisoner exchange also seems less impressive: it has happened several times in the past three years, and has little to do with a ceasefire or peace anyway.

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Shoof: Military plans for Ukraine ceasefire almost ready
Earlier today, Prime Minister Schoof indicated that Zelensky is welcome at the NATO summit in The Hague . The Americans are questioning his presence. 'His arrival is still on the table and is part of the discussion, but as far as I'm concerned he is simply welcome. And we will continue to support Ukraine unconditionally', Schoof told BNR.