Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
However, he refused any peacetalks to take place in Russia or Belarus.
Ukraine’s president has signaled readiness to engage in peace negotiations but ruled out surrendering more land to Russia as a precondition, Reuters reports.
The statement comes amid renewed diplomatic maneuvering involving the United States, Europe, and China over how to end the war.
Talks without surrender
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told reporters on Tuesday that Kyiv was “ready for peace talks” but would not accept Moscow’s demand to withdraw troops from additional areas.
He said Ukraine was open to negotiations “anywhere, except in Russia or Belarus,” citing concerns over impartiality.
Call for Western and Chinese help
The Ukrainian leader also appealed to U.S. lawmakers to tighten sanctions on Moscow following Trump’s decision to target Russia’s two largest oil companies.
He said Ukraine would require consistent financial backing from European allies for “another two or three years.”
Zelenskiy further expressed hope that China could play a role in pushing for an end to hostilities. “We would like very much for China to put pressure on Russia to end this war and not to assist its continuation in any way,” he said.
Ceasefire plan under review
Zelenskiy announced that Ukrainian and European officials are scheduled to meet later this week to discuss details of a proposed ceasefire plan.
“It is not a plan to end the war. First of all, a ceasefire is needed,” he said after meeting Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel in Kyiv.
He described the move as a step toward “beginning diplomacy,” confirming that advisers would meet on Friday or Saturday to work on the proposal.
Budapest on the table
Plans for a potential summit in Budapest between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin were halted, after the Kremlin insisted Ukraine cede more territory before any ceasefire could take effect.
Trump, meanwhile, called for an “immediate ceasefire on current lines” – a proposal being backed by European allies as well as Ukraine.
Despite his reservations about Hungary’s stance, Zelenskiy said he was open to holding talks in Budapest, adding that Prime Minister Viktor Orban “blocks everything for Ukraine” but that location should not stand in the way of results.
“If there will be results, then God bless – let the talks take place anywhere,” he said. “It almost doesn’t matter, just not in Russia, of course, and definitely not in Belarus.”
This article is made and published by Jens Asbjørn Bogen, who may have used AI in the preparation
