Vladimir Zelensky said that he must meet with Donald Trump, and then it will be possible to move on to negotiations with Russia in one form or another. He said in an interview with the Associated Press.
‘I believe that first of all we (should) have a meeting with him (Trump), and this is important. And this, by the way, is what the whole of Europe wants,’ Zelensky said.
After the contact with the American leader, ‘we should move on to some format of negotiations with the Russians,’ he added. According to Zelensky, he wants to see Ukraine, Russia, the United States and the European Union at the negotiating table.
‘I think it would be fair and effective. But how will everything work out? I don’t know,’ Zelensky pointed out.
Zelensky also continued to insist that Ukraine should be admitted to NATO.
‘I really believe that this is the cheapest security guarantees Ukraine can get, the cheapest for everyone,’ he explained.
Zelensky also added that Kiev joining the alliance would be a ‘big win for Trump’ as it would show that the US decides who should be in NATO, not Russia. Plus, the bloc would get 800,000 Ukrainian soldiers at its disposal. If Ukraine is offered other security guarantees, it should get enough weapons from the US and Europe, and support for Ukraine’s own defence industry is also needed, he said.
Russia has cited Ukraine’s official refusal to join NATO as one of the conditions for the start of negotiations and a ceasefire. According to Reuters, Trump’s team does not think it is possible to admit Kiev to the alliance, but admits that it will receive security guarantees.
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