After the continuation of fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces for the 52nd consecutive day, especially in the east, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned, on Saturday, that eliminating the last Ukrainian forces in Mariupol, which is besieged by Russian troops, "will end negotiations" with Moscow.

"The liquidation of our soldiers in Mariupol will end the negotiations for peace," he said in an interview with the news website "Okranska Pravda," warning that the two sides would find themselves in a "stalemate."

"The agreement with Russia may consist of two documents, the first for security guarantees and the second for relations between Kyiv and Moscow," Zelensky also added. 

Zelensky explained that talks with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson focused on defense agreements between the two countries.

Talks to end the Russian military operation in Ukraine, which began on February 24, continue but have not yielded any tangible results.

The last round of Russian-Ukrainian direct talks was held on March 29 in Istanbul. Ukraine presented details of its main proposals to reach an agreement with Moscow, especially its "neutral status" in exchange for an international agreement that guarantees its security.

It is noteworthy that the war in Ukraine entered its second phase at the beginning of this month, with Russia announcing its focus on the eastern regions with the aim of invading the Donbas region. 

The region includes the unilaterally declared republics of Lugansk and Donetsk in 2014, which were recognized by Moscow days before Russia began its march into Ukraine on February 24.
 
Russia has still insisted on disarming Ukraine, protecting Russian speakers, and preventing it from joining NATO. 

While Kyiv adheres to its independence and the protection of its territory, demanding international security guarantees to prevent any Russian attack in the future.