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The Ukrainian president, Volodímir Zelenski, warned on Thursday that he will not accept bilateral negotiations without the participation of his government, in response to the recent phone conversation between Donald Trump and Vladímir Putin regarding the conflict in Eastern Europe.
"I express it very clearly to our partners: any bilateral negotiations on Ukraine without us will not be accepted," Zelensky stated during a visit to a nuclear power plant in the Khmelnytskyi region, according to the Ukrainian agency Ukrinform and reported by EFE.
At this point, it is worth noting that U.S. President Trump announced this Wednesday that he reached an agreement with his Russian counterpart, Putin, to initiate "immediate negotiations" with the goal of ending the war in Ukraine.
Dialogue with Trump and reaction to his conversation with Putin
After the call between Trump and Putin, the Ukrainian president spoke with his American counterpart and expressed his gratitude for the interest of the U.S. in achieving peace.
Through his account on X, Zelensky stated: "I had a long and detailed conversation with President Trump. I appreciate his genuine interest in our shared opportunities and in how we can achieve real peace together. We believe that the strength of America, along with Ukraine and all our partners, is sufficient to pressure Russia towards peace."
Debate on elections in Ukraine
The conversation between both leaders did not include the topic of elections in Ukraine, Zelenski assured. However, Trump's envoy for the war in Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, recently urged that the country hold elections as soon as possible, after Putin cast doubt on Zelenski's democratic legitimacy.
The mandate of the Ukrainian president ended in May 2024, but the Constitution prohibits holding elections under martial law, so his government remains in office until conditions allow for a vote.
Frequently Asked Questions about Peace Negotiations in Ukraine
Why won't Zelensky accept agreements without participating in the negotiations?
Zelensky considers it essential for his government to participate in any negotiations regarding the conflict in Ukraine to ensure that the country's interests are adequately represented. Without their involvement, he will not accept any agreement, as he publicly stated.
What did Trump and Putin agree on regarding the war in Ukraine?
Trump and Putin agreed to begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Both leaders expressed their desire to stop the deaths caused by the conflict and decided that their diplomatic teams should start negotiations immediately.
What does Zelenski think about Trump's peace initiative?
Zelensky thanked Trump for his interest in achieving peace and expressed his willingness to work alongside the United States to stop Russian aggression. The Ukrainian president values collaboration with the U.S. to achieve lasting peace.
Will there be elections in Ukraine soon?
Currently, Ukraine cannot hold elections due to martial law. Zelenski's term has been extended until conditions allow for a vote, and although some leaders have urged for them to take place, they have not been officially discussed in the recent conversations between Trump and Zelenski.
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