Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized on Saturday the necessity of Ukraine’s direct involvement in any peace negotiations with Russia, stating that without Kyiv, such talks would yield no meaningful results.
In remarks addressing speculation about potential peace talks, Zelensky highlighted the dire consequences of nearly three years of conflict, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives. He stressed the need for allies to determine a structured format for negotiations to ensure a “just peace.”
Zelensky’s Perspective
“I understand that contacts can be in different formats,” Zelensky stated, adding, “Ukraine cannot be excluded from any negotiation platform. Without our participation, any agreements will lack substance and fail to ensure security or end the war.”
He also reiterated that a negotiation process excluding Ukraine would only produce political results, not solutions aligned with peace and security.
Putin and Trump’s Stance
Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed willingness to engage in talks with newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump, calling him a “smart leader” who could have potentially prevented the conflict that began in February 2022.
While Putin mentioned no timeline for such talks, he noted Russia is awaiting signals from Washington. Trump, meanwhile, has called the war “ridiculous” and threatened tougher sanctions against Russia unless it halts its offensive.
Multilateral Talks Proposed
Zelensky advocated for a multilateral approach, suggesting that negotiations involve Ukraine, the United States, Russia, and the European Union. However, he acknowledged that a unified strategy for the negotiation process has yet to be established.
“I can’t say today what kind of negotiations will take place or the structure of the process because we don’t have a common plan yet,” Zelensky admitted.
Past Efforts
Zelensky pointed to his “victory plan” presented at a Ukraine summit last year, which gathered support from multiple countries and international organizations, as a potential framework for ending the conflict.
In closing, he reiterated Ukraine’s unwavering position: peace talks must include Kyiv to ensure genuine and lasting results.
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