
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused American mediators Steve Vitkoff and Jared Kushner of disrespect for Ukraine.
"It is disrespectful to travel to Moscow and not come to Kiev," the president said in an interview with the state news program.
While he understands the difficulties of traveling to the war-torn country, he noted that others are also traveling to Kiev. Referring to one such visit, Zelensky said: "It's not us who need this, it's them."
At the same time, he stressed that for him the outcome, not the venue of the talks, was decisive. Zelensky again rejected a Russian demand for withdrawal from the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk.
"This would undoubtedly be a strategic defeat for us," the head of state said. Without the fortifications and reinforced defense line, Ukraine would be weaker. A forced withdrawal would also weaken the morale of the Ukrainian army.
Zelensky believes that the quickest way to end the war is through a ceasefire along the current front line.
Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for more than four years with Western support. Although Washington has been urging the warring parties to reach a peace deal for months, negotiations have been suspended since February because of the Iran-Iraq War.
Witkoff and Kushner have traveled to Moscow several times for talks with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. A visit expected after Orthodox Easter would have been their first to Kiev. However, that has not yet happened. Orthodox Easter was celebrated on April 12.