Ukraine is ready for any format of talks, including holding a bilateral meeting with Russia at the level of leaders. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this while speaking with the media in Washington.
The Head of State noted that after a joint coordination meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, the leaders of European countries, the EU, and NATO, President Trump called Vladimir Putin to discuss diplomatic steps. In particular, he proposed holding a trilateral meeting at the level of the leaders of Ukraine, the United States, and Russia.
Later, heads of state and government gathered in the Oval Office to discuss the outcome of this phone call. Donald Trump informed that the Russian side had suggested first holding a bilateral meeting with Ukraine and then a trilateral meeting with U.S. participation.
“We are ready for any formats at the level of leaders, because only at the level of leaders can we resolve all those complex, painful issues. At least for us they are important and painful. Therefore, I confirmed – and all European leaders supported me – that we are ready for a bilateral meeting with Vladimir Putin, and after that we expect a trilateral meeting,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Head of State added that he had discussed with President Trump that all parties must demonstrate the will to end the war. A diplomatic meeting at the level of leaders is such a step. If the Russian side does not take it, Ukraine will ask the United States to act accordingly.
The President of Ukraine presented the President of the United States with a golf club, which had been given to him by Junior Sergeant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Kostiantyn Kartavtsev. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the warrior had lost a leg in the first months of Russia’s full-scale invasion while saving his brothers-in-arms. Golf became part of Kostiantyn Kartavtsev’s rehabilitation and helped him regain balance – both physical and emotional. The Head of State also showed a video in which Kostiantyn Kartavtsev appeals to the U.S. President to help Ukraine end the war with a just and lasting peace.
Donald Trump accepted the gift, recorded a video thanking the Ukrainian warrior for the golf club, and presented the President of Ukraine with symbolic keys to the White House.
