Article Author:
Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that negotiations with Ukraine and its international allies would be over if Russia went ahead with a referendum on joining Russia in the occupied territories.
"If the occupiers go down the path of a quasi-referendum, they will close themselves to dialogue with Ukraine and the free world. Something the Russian side will clearly need at some point. Deaf,” Zelensky said in his nightly video his address.
Russian and Ukrainian officials held several meetings shortly after Russian forces launched their invasion of Ukraine. However, no meetings have been held since late March, with both sides blaming the other for the cessation of contact. (Reporting by Ronald Popesky; Editing by Chizuru Nomiyama) 23}
