Photo: Getty Images
Ukraine is prepared for any diplomatic format that could help end the war, including direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Kyiv with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Zelenskyy expressed frustration over delays in efforts to advance peace talks, arguing that Ukraine is no longer Washington’s top foreign policy priority.
“We are waiting for the negotiating team to arrive, but in my view, it is taking far too long. Unfortunately, we are not the focus of the United States today. Iran is issue number one for the U.S., and only then comes Ukraine. Unfortunately, it turns out that we are standing in line behind other wars,” Zelenskyy said.
The president stressed that the United States remains the country with the greatest leverage to pressure Russia into ending its aggression. At the same time, he said Ukraine would prefer a peace process involving both the U.S. and Europe to ensure that European interests are represented at the negotiating table.
Zelenskyy reiterated that Kyiv’s priority is to end the war as quickly as possible and said he is prepared to engage directly with Putin if that would help achieve peace.
“I am ready for direct negotiations with Putin to end this war rather than waiting in line until every other conflict in the world is resolved and attention finally turns to us,” he said.
According to Zelenskyy, the current battlefield situation and Ukraine’s successful long-range strikes inside Russia have strengthened Kyiv’s position, allowing it to approach any future negotiations with Moscow “on equal terms.”
He added that Ukraine’s military achievements provide a stronger foundation for diplomacy and increase the chances of securing a just and sustainable peace.
