US proposes trilateral talks with Ukraine and Russia - Zelenskyy
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
The United States has proposed a meeting format that would bring together Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and European representatives as part of potential peace talks, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said while speaking to the media alongside Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro in Kyiv.
"The United States did say that it would hold a separate meeting with representatives of Russia. They also proposed this format: Ukraine, America, Russia, and, most likely, representatives of Europe," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
At the same time, the president stressed that holding such a meeting would be possible only after analyzing the results of talks that have already taken place between Ukraine and the United States.
"It would be logical to hold such a joint meeting after we understand the potential outcome of the meeting that has already taken place between America and Ukraine," he said.
According to Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian side must first receive detailed information on the outcome of the initial stage of the dialogue, after which decisions will be made on further negotiations.
"Our team will contact me and brief me on the results of the first round of dialogue. Then we will understand what to do next," the president said.
He also stated that he is currently awaiting the US position, following consultations with the Russian side.
"How America responds after consultations with the Russians, I honestly do not know yet. But I will know today," Zelenskyy added.
Ukraine's condition for security guarantees
Zelenskyy has previously said he wants US security guarantees for Ukraine to be approved by Congress, noting that the Budapest Memorandum scenario must not be repeated.
Following talks between Ukrainian and American officials, rumors also emerged that the United States could offer Ukraine security guarantees comparable to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
According to Politico, such a US proposal would remain on the table for only "a matter of days." If Ukraine does not agree in the near term, subsequent offers could be less favorable.
At the same time, US President Donald Trump said in an interview that the understanding that Ukraine would not join NATO had formed long before Russian leader Vladimir Putin began publicly speaking about it.
