Zelenskyy expects to speak to Trump soon and says US can make Russia’s determination to end war ‘finally serious’
We’ve heard from Volodymyr Zelenskyy again this evening after his meeting with US army secretary Dan Driscoll earlier today.
Ukraine’s president describes it as a “very serious conversation”.
“The American side presented their proposals – points of a plan to end the war – their vision,” he said.
“From the very first days of the war, we have held one very simple position: Ukraine needs peace. And real peace – the kind that will not be broken by a third invasion.
“A dignified peace – with conditions that respect our independence, our sovereignty, and the dignity of the Ukrainian people.”
Zelenskyy said “we must ensure these conditions are met”, adding that he outlined “what is fundamentally important to us” during the meeting.
“We will not make any rash statements and are committed to clear, honest work – Ukraine, the United States, and our friends and partners in Europe and around the world,” he said.
Towards the end of his Telegram post, Zelenskyy said he expects to speak with Donald Trump in the coming days.
“We are aware that America’s strength and support can bring peace closer, and we do not want to lose that,” he added.
“We also understand that Russia has no real desire for peace, otherwise they would not have started this war.
“There are many assessments – quite fair ones – that Russia has been trying to do only one thing all this year, namely, to postpone sanctions and gain more time for the war.
“America has the power to make Russia’s determination to end the war finally serious.”
He ends by saying that Ukraine will do “everything to ensure that no one in the world can say that we are undermining diplomacy”.