Zelenskyy tells Trump Ukraine is ready to talk with Russia if ceasefire reached, reports say
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump (president.gov.ua)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told US leader Donald Trump that Ukraine is ready for direct talks with Russia if there is a ceasefire, reports Axios.
According to two informed sources, the message was sent in today's phone call between Zelenskyy and European leaders with Trump.
They emphasized that if a ceasefire agreement is reached, Ukraine is ready to start direct peace talks with Russia. If Russian leader Vladimir Putin rejects the 30-day ceasefire, European countries will impose new sanctions on Russia.
“Trump seemed satisfied to see Ukraine embracing the ceasefire and accepting direct negotiations with Russia,” one source said.
A second source said Trump was glad to hear that they all supported his proposal.
“We're waiting for Russia's move now,” the second source told the media.
Backstory
The leaders of the Coalition of the Willing arrived in Kyiv today to negotiate peace in Ukraine. A meeting took place between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
After this meeting, the five of them had a phone call with US President Donald Trump. Russia was given a deadline to agree to a ceasefire.
At a press conference, Zelenskyy said that a full and unconditional ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia for at least 30 days must begin on Monday, May 12. If Moscow refuses to comply with the ceasefire, it will face new sanctions.
NBC News also reported that Ukraine, the US, and the EU have made a list of conditions for Putin, which includes 22 proposals, including a 30-day ceasefire. The list also includes a clause that the United States will not support Ukraine's accession to NATO (a topic that Putin has repeatedly raised). This document will be handed over to the Kremlin head by Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff.
