Zelensky spokesman denies that Macron, Scholz, Draghi ‘tried to persuade’ Ukrainian leader to negotiate with Russia

According to Nykyforov, Ukraine’s foreign partners are merely interested in Ukraine's having most advantageous negotiating position.

Read also: Germany rejects possibility of peace in Ukraine on Russia’s terms — Scholz

"On the contrary, at yesterday’s meeting (it was) stated that Ukraine alone can determine when and under what conditions to sit down at the negotiating table with Russia," Nykyforov said.

Earlier, the German newspaper Die Welt reported that French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi had probably asked President Zelensky "behind closed doors" to resume talks with dictator Vladimir Putin.

Read also: Why Macron, Scholz and Draghi came to Kyiv

The newspaper writes that the economic damage that their countries are suffering due to the war-induced sanctions is becoming greater and more difficult to offset.

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi visited Ukraine on June 16 for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion.