Zelenskyy says US did not make demands during Ukraine negotiations
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
The United States has conveyed Russia's demands for ending the war to Ukraine. Washington’s representatives did not make any demands, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The Ukrainian leader emphasized the need to respect the delegation of US President Donald Trump.
"I do not believe that the United States demanded anything from us. I see the US as our strategic partner. So I would put it this way: the issues regarding territories, Russia’s vision, or Russian demands, we heard from the US. We perceive this as the demands of the Russian Federation," he added.
The President also noted that he could not make any demands of the US side. Ukraine simply shared its position so that it could be conveyed to Russia. Zelenskyy said that Ukraine and the US exchange views on sensitive issues and also hear Russia’s vision or objectives. He stressed that it is important that the US hears Ukraine’s position.
Rumors about US demands
Earlier, AFP reported, citing a source, that the US demanded that Ukraine give up the part of Donbas under its control.
The source claimed that, in this matter, Russia's and the US's positions coincide.
However, Ukraine refuses to hand over this territory to Russia. President Zelenskyy emphasized that such a move is prohibited by the Constitution and international law.
Russia has demanded since the summer that Ukraine begin withdrawing troops from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. This demand was outlined in a memorandum delivered to the Ukrainian side during negotiations in Istanbul.
