Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his readiness to join the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Budapest
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is ready to join the planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Budapest. He said this in an interview with NBC News.
“My opinion is that if we really want a just and lasting peace, we need both sides of this tragedy. Yes, he is an occupier, but Ukraine is suffering and fighting. Of course, how can there be any agreements without us, about us?”, — Zelenskyy noted.
When asked by a journalist whether he would insist on a trip to Budapest, the head of state replied:
“I am ready. I told President Donald Trump that I am ready. Regarding possible territorial concessions to end the war, the president emphasized that negotiations should take place without additional concessions from the Russian Federation, namely, from the place where the soldiers remain, from the contact line: I agree that if we want to stop this war and immediately move to peace negotiations through diplomatic channels, we need to stay where we left off, and not give anything extra to Putin because he wants it, because he is a terrorist. Zelensky also emphasized that Putin is trying to postpone real negotiations. and avoids meeting with him because he understands the need to achieve concrete results of any peace agreements.
“The whole world, all leaders will be waiting. If the leaders of the countries that are at war meet, it will mean that they will come up with something positive for the world and, above all, for the people. That is why he will postpone. He wants to postpone sanctions, because he is afraid of President Trump’s sanctions, tariffs and, of course, secondary sanctions, which are very painful for the Russian economy. So he has a lot to lose. He really has problems with the economy and with the people”, Zelensky added.
Let us recall that on October 17, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky visited the White House. Together with Donald Trump, he discussed the transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, a possible meeting with Putin, as well as issues of strengthening air defense and energy security.
Zelensky’s talks with Trump in Washington lasted more than two hours. Key topics included security guarantees for Ukraine, the PURL program, and the expansion of the partnership coalition.
