Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that on Friday he had two conversations with US President Donald Trump: first in a bilateral call, and then together with European leaders.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this on Monday, May 19.
French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German CDU leader Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also participated in the joint conversation with Trump.
During the bilateral conversation, Zelenskyy confirmed to Trump that Ukraine is ready for a complete and unconditional ceasefire, in line with the position voiced, in particular, by the United States. He stressed that it is important not to water down this proposal. If Russia is not ready to stop the killings, stronger sanctions must be imposed. According to Zelenskyy, pressure on Russia will push it towards real peace.
The president also noted that Ukraine is ready for direct negotiations with Russia in any format that will yield results. Various platforms are being considered, including Turkey, the Vatican, and Switzerland. According to Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian side is ready to make real decisions, but Russia must be equally ready to do so.
The president also confirmed Ukraine’s readiness for direct negotiations with Russia in any format that would yield results. In particular, the possibility of using platforms such as Turkey, the Vatican, and Switzerland is being considered. According to Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian side is ready to make real decisions, but this requires Russia’s mirror readiness.
“It is very important for all of us that the United States does not distance itself from the negotiations and the achievement of peace, because the only one who is interested in this is Putin. Thank you all for supporting this approach,” Zelenskyy said.
The President of Ukraine emphasized that if Russia does not stop the killings, release prisoners and hostages, and continues to put forward unrealistic conditions, it will mean that it is continuing to drag out the war. In this case, Europe, America, and the whole world must respond accordingly, including through additional sanctions.
“Russia must end the war it started, and it can start doing so any day. Ukraine is always ready for peace,” Zelenskyy concluded.