Zelenskyy: Ukraine ready for talks, but Russia must drop unrealistic demands
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine is ready for any effective format of negotiations, but Russia must stop putting forward unrealistic conditions, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Telegram channel.
According to Zelenskyy, he held a conversation with Finnish President Alexander Stubb. During the talks, the two leaders updated each other on recent contacts with international partners and discussed details of Zelenskyy’s recent call with US President Donald Trump.
The Ukrainian President stressed that Russia is currently trying to buy time to continue the war and occupation. Ukraine, in turn, is working with Western partners to pressure Moscow into changing its behavior.
"We have no doubt that the war must end at the negotiating table. There should be clear and realistic proposals on the table. Ukraine is ready for any effective format of negotiations. And if Russia continues to make unrealistic demands and undermine possible outcomes, there must be serious consequences," Zelenskyy added.
Trump’s call with Putin and Zelenskyy
On May 19, Donald Trump held phone conversations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He spoke with Zelenskyy twice - before his call with Putin, and then again afterward.
Following the talks, Trump stated that Russia and Ukraine must sit down for negotiations to halt hostilities and bring the armed conflict to an end.
More information about Trump's conversation with Putin is available in the material by RBC-Ukraine.
