Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday said he believed Russia was more likely to agree to a ceasefire than previously, and argued pressure from the U.S. is a key reason.
Zelensky spoke amid reports that President Trump had discussed with European officials a meeting with Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the coming weeks.
“Russia now seems to be more inclined toward a ceasefire – the pressure is working. But the key is to ensure they don’t deceive anyone in the details – neither us, nor the United States,” Zelensky said during an address.
“We have proposed that in the near future, our representatives – from Ukraine and our partners, our national security advisors – hold talks to determine our position, our common position, and our shared vision,” he added.
President Trump and Republican lawmakers have repeatedly threatened economic sanctions for the Kremlin if an agreement is not soon reached.
On Wednesday, Trump’s team said Russia was interested in talking to the president.
“The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelensky. President Trump wants this brutal war to end,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Putin has urged Ukraine to cede portions of its territory now under Russian control.
Zelensky has rejected efforts to redefine Ukraine’s sovereign borders.
The Ukrainian president said he spoke with Trump following Special Envoy Steve Witkoff’s meetings with officials in Moscow.
“Our joint position with our partners is absolutely clear – the war must end,” Zelensky wrote in a Wednesday post on X. “And it must be done honestly. European leaders were on the call, and I am grateful to each of them for their support. We discussed what was spelled out in Moscow.”
