Photo: Getty Images
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Tagesschau that he is prepared to meet Vladimir Putin and is open to compromises on a ceasefire, as well as negotiations over Russia’s territorial demands, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from parts of Donbas. However, Zelensky emphasized that final decisions on territorial issues can only be made at the level of heads of state and government.
“I have a simple message for Putin: I am ready to meet. We must end the war,” he said.
According to U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, proposals developed with Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, could help bring the sides closer in the next three weeks, potentially leading to a summit between Zelensky and Putin, and possibly a trilateral meeting including Donald Trump.
However, Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, expressed skepticism, noting that Russian negotiators are not serious and unwilling to discuss political matters.
Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly said it is willing to meet with Zelensky, but only in Moscow. Ukraine and Russia continue to send delegations to trilateral talks with the U.S., but these meetings have largely stalled, with no real progress and peace currently blocked. Experts at ISW describe the diplomatic statements from Kyiv and Moscow as largely theatrical, without substantive progress.
