ReutersVolodymyr Zelensky has mentioned Ukrainian and US officers will meet for peace talks in Saudi Arabia subsequent Monday, after the Kremlin confirmed US-Russia talks there the identical day.
Ukraine’s chief mentioned Russian President Vladimir Putin “should cease making pointless calls for that solely lengthen the conflict”. Moscow’s calls for embody an entire finish to army help for Ukraine.
Zelensky additionally warned that taking Nato membership for Ukraine off the table – one thing Putin has mentioned was non-negotiable for peace – can be a “massive present to Russia”.
He additionally rebuffed claims by the White Home that he mentioned ceding possession of Ukraine’s nuclear energy vegetation to the US throughout a name with President Donald Trump.
The newest talks come because the US makes an attempt to dealer a ceasefire between the 2 nations after greater than three years of combating.
Each Zelensky and Putin have agreed to a ceasefire in precept throughout conversations with the US – however one has but to materialise because of conflicting circumstances.
The Russian chief most lately agreed to a halt to air strikes on energy infrastructure – however such strikes from either side have continued.
Zelensky mentioned a Ukrainian delegation would hand the US an inventory of infrastructure amenities it desires to be shielded from Russian strikes at Monday’s talks.
Requested concerning the White Home touting the possible US ownership of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants at a joint information convention with Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo, Zelensky dominated this out solely.
He mentioned that the 2 had mentioned the Zaporizhia energy plant – which is at present below Russian management – in his cellphone name with Trump, however harassed that “all nuclear energy vegetation belong to the folks of Ukraine”.
Nevertheless, he mentioned he was open to the US taking the plant from Russia to spend money on or modernise.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had earlier mentioned that US possession “can be the perfect safety for that infrastructure”.
Requested if he was able to make territorial concessions to Russia, notably Crimea, which has been in Russian arms since 2014, Zelensky mentioned: “That may be a Ukrainian peninsula,” including that Crimea was an “integral half” of his nation.
Crimea is internationally recognised as a part of Ukraine, regardless of Russia’s occupation and claimed annexation.
When requested what a ceasefire would possibly appear like, Zelensky mentioned the primary stage must be a ceasefire by land and sea, as Ukraine sees this as the one approach to cease Russian aggression.
Trump was in a position to extract an settlement for a ceasefire on vitality infrastructure – which Russia has repeatedly focused – from Putin in a name on Tuesday, however nothing extra.
Within the meantime, the conflict – which started with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 – continues. Strikes in a single day killed two folks in Ukraine, whereas Ukrainian drone assaults injured 10 and set an airfield on fireplace in Russia.
Chatting with EU leaders through video hyperlink, Zelensky reiterated requires army support to proceed, asking European leaders for a minimum of €5bn (£4.18bn) for artillery shells “as quickly as attainable”, and mentioned that continued help for Ukraine was “essential”.
Zelensky additionally mentioned the EU should be concerned in peace talks, and urged Europe to not “ease stress on Russia over the conflict”.
EU leaders in Brussels have been deciding their defence technique and bolstering safety measures for Ukraine.
ReutersIn the meantime, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer mentioned “the time for planning is now” in relation to a peace deal for Ukraine, after proposing a “coalition of the prepared” to implement peace in Ukraine following a deal.
Talking throughout a go to to a army base in London, he mentioned he was “nicely conscious {that a} deal could also be in levels” however added that the “extra planning we are able to do right here now… the higher as a result of we’re getting forward of the problem to be sure that we’re as efficient as attainable”.
Earlier, the prime minister held a closed-door assembly with senior army officers from nations of the “coalition of the prepared” to attract up plans.
In response to a authorities spokesman, greater than 30 international locations are anticipated to contribute to the coalition, which is led by the UK and France.
