Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on allies to establish a format for potential peace talks with Russia, insisting Kyiv’s involvement is essential for any meaningful outcome.
Zelensky emphasised that discussions should focus on achieving a “just peace” and reiterated that excluding Ukraine from negotiations would render them ineffective.
“Any negotiation platform that excludes Ukraine will yield political, not real, results and will not ensure security or end the war,” he said in Kyiv on Saturday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed openness to talks with newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump, praising him as a “smart” leader who might have prevented the conflict.
Trump has labelled the war “ridiculous” and threatened tougher sanctions on Russia unless it halts its offensive.
Zelensky reiterated the need for talks to involve Ukraine, the US, Russia, and the European Union, underscoring that no common plan has yet been agreed.