President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine is ready for a meeting at the leadership level if Russia truly wants to end the war and achieve lasting peace.
The head of state noted that Kyiv supports US President Donald Trump’s initiatives aimed at ending the war, stopping the killings, and establishing a dignified peace.
“We have heard the statements coming out of Russia. If these are signals of a genuine willingness to end the war with dignity and establish a truly lasting peace – and not merely an attempt to buy more time for war or delay sanctions – then Ukraine once again reaffirms its readiness to meet at the level of leaders at any time,” Zelensky wrote.
He stressed that Kyiv clearly understands who makes decisions in the Russian Federation and who should put an end to the war — this is obvious to the whole world. Therefore, Ukraine calls for a transition from public statements and technical contacts to direct talks at the level of state leaders.
“The United States has proposed this. Ukraine has supported it. What is needed is Russia’s readiness,” Zelensky added.
Recall that on August 1, Vladimir Putin announced the Russian Federation’s alleged readiness for negotiations, but on the conditions that the Kremlin had already announced earlier: the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four regions, Ukraine’s neutral status, rejection of NATO, etc.
He also responded to Donald Trump’s ultimatum by stating that “disappointment” arises from “excessive expectations.”