US negotiations with Russia without Ukraine pose great danger for everyone - Zelenskyy
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that excluding Ukraine from negotiations between the US and Russia regarding the end of the war would be very dangerous. He emphasized that Kyiv and Washington should continue discussions to develop a ceasefire plan, according to an interview with Zelenskyy for the Associated Press.
President Zelenskyy noted that Russia is unwilling to participate in ceasefire negotiations to discuss any concessions, as the Kremlin views such talks as a loss, particularly while Russian forces maintain an advantage on the battlefield.
According to Zelenskyy, Donald Trump might bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiation table by threatening sanctions targeting Russia's energy and banking sectors, as well as continuing support for Ukrainian military forces.
"I think these are the closest and most important steps," Zelenskyy said.
President Zelenskyy's remarks followed statements by Trump, who on Friday mentioned that American and Russian officials are already talking about ending the war. The US President stated that his administration had held very serious discussions with Russia but did not elaborate on the details.
"They may have their own relations, but talking about Ukraine without us — it is dangerous for everyone," Zelenskyy said.
He also mentioned that his team is in contact with the Trump administration, but these discussions are happening at a general level. He expressed belief in future personal meetings to work out more detailed agreements.
"We need to work more on this. Trump understandably appeared to be focused on domestic issues in the first weeks after his inauguration," Zelenskyy added.
Important meeting with Trump
According to Zelenskyy, during his first phone call with Trump during the presidential campaign, they agreed that if Trump won, they would meet to discuss the steps necessary to end the war.
However, the planned visit of Trump's envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, was postponed for legal reasons, said Zelenskyy. This was followed by the sudden freezing of foreign aid, which effectively forced Ukrainian organizations to halt their projects.
"I believe that, first and foremost, we (must) hold a meeting with him, and that is important. And that is, by the way, something that everyone in Europe wants," Zelenskyy said, referring to a shared vision of quickly ending the war.
The president stated that after the conversation with Trump, "we should move on to some kind of format of conversation with Russians. And I would like to see the United States of America, Ukraine and the Russians at the negotiating table. ... And, to be honest, a European Union voice should also be there. I think it would be fair, effective. But how will it turn out? I don’t know."
Zelenskyy warned against allowing Putin to take control of the war, seemingly referring to Russia's repeated threats of escalation during the Biden administration.
Plan to end the war in Ukraine
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his willingness to quickly end the war between Ukraine and Russia, even mentioning a 24-hour timeline.
Trump's representative for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, stated that the war in Ukraine could be concluded within months and that there is a reliable plan for doing so.
Additionally, the US is pushing for elections to be held in Ukraine by the end of 2025 if a ceasefire with Russia is achieved.
