Zelenskyy on Trump-Putin talks: Discussing partial ceasefire is step back
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The US and Russia have started discussing a partial ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, It is a step backward in the context of ending the war, stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Zelenskyy explained that during a meeting between Ukrainian and US officials in Jeddah, the US made a “quick step forward” by proposing a full ceasefire with Russia. This is despite the fact that Ukraine had only suggested a ceasefire in the air and at sea, as it would be easier to organize.
“We responded (to the US proposal - ed.) immediately, right at the meeting. My team contacted me because this was a change in the agenda they had come with. I immediately said: we confirm, we want to go towards ending the war,” the President added.
He emphasized that the meeting between Ukraine and the US in Jeddah was the first with such a positive outcome.
However, after that, US President Donald Trump held negotiations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
“And again, it seems that people took a step back because they started talking about a partial ceasefire. We would rather take steps forward, but are we ready to take a step back in partnership with the Americans and talk about a partial ceasefire” Zelenskyy emphasized.
He clarified that a complete cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure and other civilian infrastructure is currently being discussed. Therefore, Ukraine wants to prepare a list of civilian infrastructure facilities.
Talks between Putin and Trump
Russian President Vladimir Putin allegedly ordered the Russian forces to stop attacking Ukraine's energy sector during talks with US President Donald Trump.
Nevertheless, for several days in a row, the Russian army has been launching long-range kamikaze drones across Ukraine. In particular, today it massively attacked Kropyvnytskyi. The city was hit by 21 drones.
