Zelensky expresses willingness for direct talks with Putin to end war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday he is prepared to meet face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to bring the ongoing war to an end.
The statement came after high-level discussions at the White House with US President Donald Trump and several European leaders, marking the first time Zelensky has openly signaled readiness for a direct bilateral encounter since Russia’s full-scale invasion more than three years ago.
“I confirmed, and all European leaders supported me, that we are ready for a bilateral meeting with Putin,” Zelensky told reporters following the summit.
The Ukrainian leader has faced mounting pressure to consider territorial concessions as Russian forces continue to make gains on the battlefield.
Ahead of the Washington talks, Trump suggested Kyiv should give up Crimea and abandon its NATO ambitions, longstanding demands from Moscow.
However, Zelensky insisted he had successfully conveyed the reality of the frontlines during his one-on-one meeting with Trump in the Oval Office.
“This was the best of our meetings. I was able to show many things, even on the map, to all American colleagues regarding the situation on the battlefield,” Zelensky said in a statement released by his office.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the summit’s focus was not on concessions but rather on establishing credible security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a peace deal.
Trump later confirmed that such guarantees would be coordinated between European allies and the United States.
Zelensky stressed that Washington’s involvement was crucial: “It is important that the United States of America gives a clear signal that it will be among the countries that will assist, coordinate, and also participate in providing security guarantees for Ukraine.”
He added that details of the framework for these guarantees are expected to be finalized within the next week to ten days.
Zelensky expresses willingness for direct talks with Putin to end war
