During a conversation with journalists, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the results of the meeting between the Ukrainian and American sides in Saudi Arabia.
This was reported by LB.ua.
The Head of State called the meeting positive and one of the best in recent months.
‘In general, I think this is the best meeting in several months that has taken place between our teams. Or the best tone of communication. And it was an absolutely constructive conversation, with respect. It was a meeting of strategic partners. I would like to continue in the same direction,’ the President said.
According to the President, it is worth preserving the composition of both negotiating teams in order to continue the constructive dialogue that these teams have managed to achieve. ‘And to reach a ceasefire, to push the Russians.’
‘We have already made the first step. Now the other side needs to be forced to agree to a ceasefire. President Trump is talking about what he considers to be the most important ceasefire to end the war. He declares it. A lot of people have died, and he wants to stop people from dying. Today it depends on his pressure and Putin's desire. We have already demonstrated our desire,’ Zelenskyy said.
The President also adds that he ‘did not need to be convinced to meet with the American team’.
‘I wanted it, and we wanted it even before the American team met with the Russian team in Jeddah. I don't need to convince the American side of anything. I just want them to understand the situation fully, from us. Then they will meet with the Russians, it is their wish, and they will hear them. And they will draw their own conclusions. All I wanted was a meeting with us right away, because Putin is the aggressor. ‘ he adds.
Ukraine was preparing a generalised position on ending the war. According to Zelenskyy, there were many different plans.
‘I want to remind you that the ‘sky-sea’ is not a new idea. This decision was made in Switzerland. Because we understood how to control it. It is very easy to control today. If we control when people go to a bomb shelter, it is clear that we control when a missile is flying. If we have started to control the corridor at sea on our own, it is clear, we can tell who has violated it. All this is available on the satellite. We have always supported this as the first step,’ the President said.
Zelenskyy also notes that the next step in all plans has always been a complete ceasefire.
‘I am glad that this is new, that we have jumped through this step, and this is new from America. They are more determined and confident in this. This is a fact. And they proposed it at the meeting. Control on the battlefield is difficult for us. But there are American satellites, they have relevant intelligence, together with Europeans, and they are able to control who violates the ceasefire on the battlefield,’ the President emphasised.
- During the talks in Jeddah, Ukraine and the United States made important steps towards restoring lasting peace in Ukraine, the President's Office said.
- Ukraine has agreed to the US proposal to immediately introduce a temporary 30-day ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, subject to acceptance and simultaneous implementation by Russia.