Speaking to Czech Radio Plus on Saturday, Zelensky expressed willingness to participate in negotiations involving delegations from the United States and Russia, and indicated he would welcome European representatives joining at a later stage.
"Above all, we must meet as three parties. We should have the opportunity for contact with the Russian Federation, with Russia's leader, in one format or another. Without such contact, our teams will not be able to reach agreement on territorial issues," the Ukrainian president said.
He also stressed that EU membership represents a key security guarantee for Ukraine.
Ongoing peace efforts
The comments come as diplomatic activity intensifies around efforts to end the war.
On Saturday, a delegation of American officials held what US special envoy Steve Witkoff described as "productive and constructive" talks with his Russian counterpart, Kirill Dmitriev, in Miami, Florida.
In a post on X, Witkoff added that the US delegation included Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and White House adviser Josh Gruenbaum.
A second round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine is scheduled for Sunday in Abu Dhabi.
Envoys of US President Donald Trump are also expected to attend.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, causing widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis.
(ał)
Source: IAR, Reuters