Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday he is ready to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, either bilaterally or in a trilateral format with US President Donald Trump, following a high-profile meeting at the White House.
Speaking outside the White House, Zelensky described his talks with Trump as “productive” and “the best so far.” He said he presented battlefield maps to illustrate which territories are under Ukraine’s control and stressed the importance of long-term security guarantees.
He added that Trump had immediately contacted Russian officials after their meeting to discuss possible diplomatic steps. “Our team did a lot,” Zelensky said, while also thanking European leaders who joined the discussions in Washington.
Russia signals openness to talks
According to Zelensky, Moscow has shown willingness to explore direct talks with Kyiv but is also open to a trilateral meeting involving the US. “We are ready for bilateral with Putin,” Zelensky stated, underlining that Ukraine will continue pursuing peace despite the war dragging on for over two years.
He further emphasized that securing reliable international guarantees would be the “starting point for ending war.” The US, along with European allies, is expected to play a central role in shaping those guarantees.
No date set yet for future summit
While Zelensky welcomed the progress, he confirmed that no date has yet been agreed for any bilateral or trilateral meeting. “Ukraine will never stop on the way to peace,” he told reporters, switching briefly to English.
The Ukrainian president closed his remarks with a promise that Kyiv would keep working with allies and remain open to negotiations that could eventually bring an end to the conflict.
