Igor Zhovkva is the deputy head of the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and also his chief diplomatic adviser. In an interview with FRANCE 24, Zhovkva underlined Zelensky's willingness to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a bid to end the war in Ukraine, but stressed that Russia had until now rejected such an offer. Zhovkva also said that Ukraine wants "guarantees" from the United States and major European powers regarding its future security.
Igor Zhovkva told FRANCE 24 that some 130 civilians were rescued from a theatre bombed by Russian forces in the eastern city of Mariupol. However, he feared there could still be many casualties, with "several hundred people" possibly still trapped.
