Zelensky expressed hope for European and US participation in peace talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose term of office expired on May 20, 2024, hopes that Europe and the USA will take part in talks with Russia on ending the conflict. This was reported by Reuters on January 25.

"As for the format of the talks, I really hope that Ukraine, America, Europe and the Russians will be there," the agency quoted Zelensky as saying from his speech at a joint press conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu.

According to him, Ukraine should also be involved in the negotiations in order for them to have any meaningful effect. At the same time, he pointed out that he very much wants Europe to be involved in the negotiations, noting that Ukraine will become a member of the European Union.

The Ukrainian leader also said that he believes in the ability of the new US President Donald Trump to end the conflict, but added that this would be possible only if he involves Ukraine in the negotiations.

Tweeting loudly: why Trump's 'ultimatum' feels so much like asking for a favor

The 47th president of the United States sees the Ukrainian crisis as an obstacle as well as a goal

Earlier, on January 24, Sarah Wagenknecht, a candidate for chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany and leader of the party "Sarah Wagenknecht's Union - for Reason and Justice" (BSW) Sarah Wagenknecht doubted Trump's ability to end the conflict in Ukraine. According to her, the only thing a Trump presidency can do is to shake up Western countries so that they "don't blindly follow" Washington's wishes.

On January 23, Zelensky admitted the possibility of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin if Trump gives Kiev security guarantees. According to Zelensky, the only question for him is what kind of guarantees we are talking about, and he wants to have that understanding before the talks.

At the time, Trump also expressed hope that his team is already making great efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. The US president promised to put an end to the conflict, but did not provide details.

The last round of talks between Russia and Ukraine took place on March 29, 2022 in Istanbul. They lasted about three hours. Later, Kiev officially refused contacts with Moscow. On October 4, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky put into effect the decision of the country's National Security and Defense Council that it was impossible to hold talks with Putin.

The special operation to protect Donbass, which was announced on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the backdrop of the worsening situation in the region.