'Peace is closer than ever': What Zelensky said in an interview with the Associated Press

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave an interview to the Associated Press. While declaring that peace in Ukraine is closer than ever, Zelensky nevertheless called the idea "dangerous" negotiations to end the war without the participation of representatives of Ukraine itself. The BBC writes about the key messages of the interview.

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An Associated Press journalist asked Volodymyr Zelensky whether he would consider a possible meeting between Trump and Putin a betrayal if it takes place without the participation of the Ukrainian side.

The Ukrainian President responded that it is very important for the stability of the entire world that Russia does not feel like a winner, because in that case a precedent would be created that could be used by other states.

On the subject: How Trump Intends to End the War in Ukraine: His Future National Security Advisor Reveals Details of the Plan

"I think it is very dangerous if there are direct negotiations between America and Russia about Ukraine without Ukraine itself. It is very dangerous. They can have their own relations. But talking about Ukraine without us is dangerous for everyone," Zelensky assured.

He specified that any such contacts could occur “if President Trump and I discuss our plan of action and understand how exactly this war could end.”

"After this, perhaps he [Trump], if he wants, can talk to the Russians. And that's normal," the Ukrainian president concluded.

Zelensky noted that during their recent meetings with Trump, they agreed to hold talks shortly after the 47th US President takes office.

Trump has repeatedly said that he intends to immediately hold a phone call with Putin, and then a meeting, to end the war in Ukraine. He has not specified whether he is ready to involve Zelensky in such negotiations.

The newly elected US president said Russia must immediately stop the invasion and threatened to impose new sanctions against it if it did not.

"Perhaps, after our dialogue with Trump, we should move on to some format of conversations with the Russians. I would like the United States of America, Ukraine and the Russians to be at the negotiating table first and foremost, because they are fighting against us," Zelensky said. "To be honest, the European voice, the voice of the European Union, should also be there. In my opinion, this would be fair and effective. How it will turn out, I don't know."

The Russian authorities, in turn, say that they are ready for dialogue with the new American administration and are awaiting “signals” from Washington.

However, Russian President Vladimir Putin recently said he could not contact Zelensky while Ukraine's ban on direct talks with him remains in place. Putin also questioned Zelensky's legitimacy as head of state because the country has not held presidential elections.

The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine imposed a ban on direct negotiations with Putin in the fall of 2022, when Russia enshrined in its Constitution the annexation of four Ukrainian regions, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces were conducting successful offensive operations in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions.

However, according to Ukrainian law, it is prohibited to hold elections in the country if martial law is in effect (judging by sociological surveys, the majority of Ukrainians agree with this ban).

In the interview, Zelensky, among other things, commented on the plan to end the war in 100 days, which Trump's special representative for Russia and Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, recently spoke about.

The Ukrainian president said the new American administration could force Moscow to a diplomatic solution to the conflict with the help of "total sanctions steps" and continued support for the Ukrainian army.

Zelensky said his team's contacts with the Trump administration are at a "general level," but that personal meetings are expected soon to reach more detailed agreements.

Asked by reporters to comment on the upcoming third anniversary of the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, Zelensky said peace was closer than ever and that Ukraine had successfully resisted Russian aggression.

"We are fighting, we are living, we are doing everything to bring peace closer. We are closer to this - and closer than ever during the three years of war," said the Ukrainian president. "We defended our state, independence, country, capital, many different cities and villages. Unfortunately, we lost many people. I am very proud of our heroic people."

During the presidential election campaign, Donald Trump promised to end the war in Ukraine in "24 hours." However, after his victory as the 47th President of the United States, he began to talk about how this could be possible in six months.

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The Ukrainian President believes that the best option for guaranteeing Ukraine's security is its membership in NATO. Other proposals for security guarantees should be backed up by a sufficient number of weapons from the US and Europe, as well as support for Kyiv in developing its own defense industry.

The French government's idea of ​​stationing European forces in Ukraine as a deterrent against Russian aggression is taking shape, but many questions remain, including about the command control, size and location of such forces.

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