Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has responded to the recent phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing cautious optimism while emphasizing Ukraine’s stance on peace talks.
Zelensky welcomed the proposal for a 30-day halt on attacks against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure but stressed that an unconditional ceasefire would be a more meaningful step forward. He also insisted that any peace negotiations must include Kyiv, warning that talks without Ukraine’s participation would not yield lasting results.
Concerns Over Russia’s Intentions
While Russia has offered to release 23 severely wounded Ukrainian soldiers, Zelensky argued that a full prisoner exchange would be a true indicator of Moscow’s commitment to peace. He also dismissed Putin’s demand to halt military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, stating that Kyiv’s allies would never accept such terms.
The Ukrainian leader further cautioned that Russian forces are reportedly preparing new offensives in Sumy, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia, aiming to intensify pressure on Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Trump has announced that he plans to speak with Zelensky following his conversation with Putin, leaving open the next steps in potential peace negotiations.
