KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine must do everything in its power to end the war with Russia diplomatically next year, President Volodimir Zelensky said.
In a radio interview broadcast on Saturday, the Ukrainian head of state acknowledged that the situation on the battlefield in the east of the country was currently difficult and that Russia was making progress.
He stressed that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin was not interested in a peace deal.
Volodimir Zelensky noted that US law prevented him from meeting President-elect Donald Trump before his inauguration next January. The Ukrainian leader said he would only speak with Donald Trump himself, rather than an envoy or adviser.
“I, as President of Ukraine, will only take seriously a conversation with the President of the United States of America, without wanting to disrespect his entourage and anyone else.”
“For our part, we must do everything to ensure that this war ends next year, by diplomatic means,” he added.
These comments come as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with the Russian president on Friday and asked him to prepare to negotiate a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine.
(Reporting Max Hunder; French version Claude Chendjou)
Belgium
