Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed skepticism Sunday that the Trump administration has a plan in place to finish Russia’s battle in Ukraine, and stated he wouldn’t settle for any such plan if Ukraine shouldn’t be immediately concerned within the negotiations.
Showing on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Zelenskyy was grateful towards President Donald Trump and members of his administration for signaling that they need the battle to finish — even saying he thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin is “just a little bit scared” of President Trump. However Zelenskyy stated the one method to finish the battle is that if Ukraine is on the negotiating desk.
RELATED STORY | Ukraine’s Zelenskyy now not relying on US help towards Russia
“I’ll by no means settle for any choices between america and Russia about Ukraine,” he stated. “By no means.”
“We’re grateful for all of the help, unity between USA — in USA round Ukraine help,” Zelenskyy added. “… However there isn’t any any chief on the planet who can actually make a take care of Putin with out us about us.”
Zelenskyy’s feedback come after President Trump stated final week that he spoke with each him and Putin in separate cellphone calls. Zelenskyy stated his name with the president was optimistic however that the 2 didn’t focus on sufficient to “make a plan” for peace within the area.
Zelenskyy additionally stated he reiterated to President Trump that Ukraine wants “actual safety ensures” so as to come to the negotiating desk with Putin.
RELATED STORY | Trump says he spoke with Putin about ending the battle in Ukraine
In a put up on his Fact Social platform, President Trump stated he and Putin “agreed to have our respective groups begin negotiations instantly, and we’ll start by calling President Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, to tell him of the dialog.” President Trump additionally stated that he and Putin have agreed to satisfy in each Russia and the U.S.
Efforts to finish Russia’s battle in Ukraine had been within the highlight this previous week with a number of U.S. leaders — together with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio — in Europe for the twenty sixth Ukraine Protection Contact Group assembly in Brussels.
Each Vance and Rubio met with Zelenskyy Friday. Following the assembly, Vance stated the U.S. needs to “obtain a sturdy, lasting peace,” that might not lead to extra battle sooner or later.
RELATED STORY | Vance, Rubio meet with Zelenskyy as Trump alerts Ukraine should make concessions in peace talks
Nevertheless, earlier within the week, U.S. Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth stated Ukraine ought to put together to barter a settlement with the Kremlin and abandon hopes of taking again land now occupied by Russia — one thing Zelenskyy balked at.
“It is out of structure to acknowledge our occupied territory like territory of Russia,” he stated Sunday. “We are going to by no means do it. It is not about — it is not about any negotiations. We are going to by no means talk about it.”
