Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke out tonight in support of greater European influence in the current US-Russia talks to end the war in Ukraine, DPA reported, quoted by BTA, referring to his evening video address.
"All decisions that need to be made to end this war and ensure security actually affect all of Europe", the Ukrainian president said.
Zelensky said that the current conflict is Russia's war not only against Ukraine, but also "in Europe and against Europe".
According to him, this is why meetings are planned at the European level to coordinate positions. "The voice of Europe must influence the processes," the Ukrainian leader said.
After phone calls with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Zelensky plans to hold a phone call with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
US President Donald Trump said last night that he would meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin even if he did not meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
When asked by a journalist whether Putin should meet with Zelensky to secure a meeting with the US president, Trump replied: "No, he shouldn't. No".
Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday that he hopes to meet his American counterpart Donald Trump next week, possibly in the United Arab Emirates, although a White House official expressed doubts that the meeting will take place unless the Kremlin leader agrees to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky will join the talks at a later stage, DPA noted.
Putin made the statement shortly before a deadline set by the White House for Moscow to show progress in ending the three-year war in Ukraine or face additional economic sanctions.