US Calls Diplomacy the Only Way to End Conflict in Ukraine

The State Department said nothing indicates Moscow being ready for serious negotiations. The US State Department said it considers diplomacy “the only way” to end the conflict in Ukraine. “We have made clear that diplomacy is the only way to end this conflict, but Russia has consistently shown no indication that it is ready to engage seriously in negotiations,” State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said. “We want to see a democratic, independent, sovereign and prosperous Ukraine with the means to defend itself against further aggression, and we are focused on maximizing Ukraine’s position on the battlefield so that when the time comes, Ukraine will have as much leverage at the negotiating table as possible,” Patel added. “Ukraine has consistently demonstrated its commitment to a negotiated peaceful resolution to the conflict, and we believe that if and when Russia is willing to act in good faith, so will Ukraine,” Patel said. The State Department statement came amid a pledge by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on Ukraine’s Independence Day to “fight to the end”. Голос Америки