Zelensky says ‘it’s time to end the war’
Ukraine is open to talks with Russia on settling the conflict, including in a format with a third party, Vladimir Zelensky has said.
In a post on Telegram on Thursday, the Ukrainian leader said he had spoken with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss ending the conflict in what he described as “a dignified peace” that would “determine the security conditions for Europe for decades.”
He also reported a discussion the previous day which focused on “potential formats for meetings for peace at the level of leaders in the near future,” including two bilateral and one trilateral framework.
“Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and expects the same bold approach from the Russian side. It is time to end the war,” he said.
His comments come after a visit to Moscow by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who held talks for three hours on the Ukraine conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russian officials called the conversation “constructive.” The White House said it produced better-than-expected results.
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov also announced that Putin could meet with Trump as early as next week, without revealing the venue. He said that while Witkoff mentioned the possibility of trilateral talks, the issue was not specifically discussed.
Zelensky has on numerous occasions called for a face-to-face meeting with Putin. Moscow has not ruled out the possibility in principle, but said it must be preceded by extensive expert groundwork.
Russia has also expressed serious concern over the Ukrainian leader’s legal authority to enter into binding agreements. Zelensky’s presidential term expired in 2024, but he did not call new elections, citing martial law. Moscow has since labeled him “illegitimate” and insisted that legal authority in Ukraine lies with the parliament.
