Newsletters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday that he is prepared for a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Türkiye, Switzerland, or Austria, but categorically ruled out Budapest and Moscow as potential venues.
Speaking to journalists, Zelenskyy responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal for a bilateral meeting as a step toward a trilateral summit, emphasizing that Russia must demonstrate readiness for peace.
"I immediately responded to the bilateral meeting. We are ready. But what if the Russians are not ready? The Europeans raised this question," Zelenskyy said.
"If the Russians are not ready, then we would like to see a strong reaction from the United States to this. We want the end of this war and we clearly demonstrate this. So now there must be a step from the Russian side," he noted.
The Ukrainian president expressed doubts about Budapest as a potential meeting location, citing Hungary's lack of support for Ukraine during the war.
"As for Budapest as a venue—it seems to me that today this is not easy. This is not easy because there is unity among all European countries regarding support for Ukraine during this war. And let's be honest, Budapest has not supported us," Zelenskyy explained.
He categorically rejected Moscow as a meeting location, as proposed by Russia, stating, "There can be no meeting in Moscow."
Zelenskyy endorsed the idea of holding the summit in neutral European countries, supporting suggestions from European partners.
"We believe it is fair, and the Europeans emphasized this, that the meeting should be in neutral Europe. Because the war is in Ukraine and on the European continent," he said.
"I said we agree. Switzerland, Austria—we agree. Türkiye? Türkiye, for us, is a NATO country and part of Europe. And we are not against it," he added.
Zelenskyy also revealed that an agreement has been reached with the American side for a U.S. coordination group to prepare for the meeting with Russia.
The team will consist of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Presidential Special Representative Steve Witkoff, and Vice President J.D. Vance.
Following positive U.S. signals, Türkiye has indicated readiness to help secure the Black Sea region.
"After America gives the signal—this is an important step from President Trump and the United States of America—then Türkiye says it is ready to ensure security in the Black Sea. Alone or with someone else," Zelenskyy explained.
Despite preparations for the summit with Putin, work continues with the United States on security guarantees similar to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
Zelenskyy confirmed there is full political support for this initiative.
"We must understand which country and what will be ready to do at one moment or another," he said.
The president disclosed that approximately 30 countries are potentially considering participation in Ukraine's security guarantees, with the U.S. commitment opening doors for broader coalition support.
"Today we have a positive signal from America, from President Trump, and from his team that they will be participants in security guarantees for Ukraine," Zelenskyy said. "And this opens the possibility for other countries that were previously ready for something to confirm it."
1 min read
Addressing questions about a ceasefire as a condition for negotiations, Zelenskyy emphasized that without agreements in a bilateral format and a certain level of ceasefire, a trilateral meeting is unlikely.
"We need a time of silence to develop a serious plan for ending the war," he said, adding that Europeans fully support Ukraine in this matter.
3 min read
