Ukraine sticks to positions on Russia but leaves room for 'compromises'

FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (R) and Andriy Yermak (L), a senior presidential aide, visits in the settlement of Stanytsia Luhanska, Ukraine November 20, 2019. Picture taken November 20, 2019. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/File Photo

KIEV (Reuters) - The Ukrainian president's new chief of staff on Wednesday stuck to Kiev's existing positions on ending the war against Russian-backed forces in the eastern Donbass region but said there could be compromises during negotiations with Moscow.

Andriy Yermak was speaking a day after his appointment by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, which coincided with Russia installing a new point person on Ukraine who is seen as less hawkish than his predecessor.