Zelenskyy seeks European involvement in peace talks with Russia
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
The US and Europe should be at the negotiating table. Like Ukraine, the EU should start the negotiations in a strong position, and Europe's strength is in unity, said President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"We need coordinated efforts to achieve lasting peace, not just a temporary ceasefire, which Putin seeks to buy time. Moscow must be pushed toward real, sustainable, and guaranteed peace," Zelenskyy stated.
According to him, everyone understands that the newly elected US President Donald Trump will increase efforts to end the war after his inauguration. Then everything will depend on whether Europe will support him with a strong, united voice.
Zelenskyy believes that it is important for Ukraine to work together. He wants China, India, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and other partners from the Global South to respect Ukraine's territorial integrity and to use their influence on Russia when necessary.
"We ask Europe to pay more attention to the role of these countries, as they can push Russia to respect the principles of territorial integrity, which would meet their own interests and contribute to peace," the Ukrainian President added.
Zelenskyy gave seven examples of what would make Russia recognize the need for peace:
- Geopolitical clarity for Ukraine and Europe, including an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO.
- Clear progress on Ukraine's EU membership.
- Strengthened defense capabilities through promised arms and air defense systems, alongside urgent equipping of brigades.
- Increased investment in weapons production within Ukraine and Europe to ramp up military capacity.
- Maintaining and intensifying sanctions on Russia until full, lasting peace is achieved.
- Active use of frozen Russian assets to support peace efforts.
- Social resilience through rebuilding schools, hospitals, and energy infrastructure in Ukraine to ensure normal life. This is proof of the failure of Russia's war.
Talks about negotiations between Ukraine and Russia
Ukraine's Western partners have recently begun to raise the issue of possible negotiations between Ukraine and Russia with increasing frequency. This topic has become particularly relevant after Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election.
However, it should be noted that Ukraine and Russia are not currently engaged in peace talks.
As Zelenskyy previously stated, returning to the negotiating table is possible only after Ukraine's position is strengthened. He also said that Ukraine does not reject the diplomatic path to end the war, but peace must be established on its terms.
