– ‘Security guarantees must be in place and they must work, first and foremost for Ukraine, but also in interest of Europe’
ISTANBUL<\/strong><\/p>\n Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the question of territory remains \u201can extremely painful issue\u201d for Ukraine, following talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as Kyiv continues negotiations with the US and European partners on a possible path toward ending the war.<\/p>\n Speaking after a meeting in Berlin, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had clearly presented its position during lengthy discussions with a US delegation — led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, an unofficial advisor to President Donald Trump — stressing that Kyiv\u2019s views must be respected in any potential agreement.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we had a little bit of a technical difficulty there with the interpretation. But to respond to that question, I\u2019d like to say that we have great respect for the US delegation. I don\u2019t have a sense that the US demanded something of us. I see the US as a strategic partner,\u201d Zelenskyy said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd so the question regarding territorial concessions to Russia \u2014 sure. Well, I mean, I\u2019m well aware of what the Russian demands are, and obviously, I couldn\u2019t demand anything of the US delegation. I merely communicated to the special envoys what our point of view is, and asked them to communicate that to the Russian side,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Zelenskyy said the territorial question remains central and deeply sensitive for Ukraine.<\/p>\n \u201cThe question of territory is an extremely painful issue for us,\u201d he said, noting that while Russia has its own demands, Ukraine\u2019s position is \u201cvery clear\u201d and must be respected in any potential agreement.<\/p>\n Zelenskyy described Germany as a key supporter of Ukraine and thanked Merz for close coordination, noting that security guarantees remain a central element of the negotiations.<\/p>\n \u201cSecurity guarantees must be in place, and they must work, first and foremost for Ukraine, but also in the interest of Europe,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He confirmed that talks with the US team continued for several hours over two days and remain ongoing, calling the negotiations \u201cvery fact-based.\u201d<\/p>\n Zelenskyy said Washington is expected to suggest possible steps to help reach consensus, while Ukraine is prepared to continue working \u201cfairly and constructively.\u201d<\/p>\n The Ukrainian president also pointed to cooperation with Germany on reconstruction, energy, air defense, and defense-related industries, including drone production, saying joint projects would strengthen both Ukraine and Europe.<\/p>\n