President of the United States Donald Trump expressed a positive attitude towards the possibility of a personal meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian Federation leader Vladimir Putin. The head of the White House commented on Zelensky’s open letter sent to the Kremlin, in which the Ukrainian president proposed to set a clear date for negotiations.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Zelensky calls for a date for negotiations
Volodymyr Zelensky published an open letter to Putin on June 4, in which, among other things, he emphasized the need to establish a date for a personal meeting. The president stressed that the current front line should serve as a starting point for diplomatic efforts. He also stated Ukraine’s readiness for a complete ceasefire during the negotiations, with the control of this process potentially entrusted to the United States.
“… I am glad that they are possibly talking about a meeting. I am glad that we had a relationship before this. I think it would be great if they met. They should do it,” he said.
Additionally, Zelensky proposed to conduct a prisoner exchange on the principle of “all for all.”
Positions of the parties regarding the location of negotiations
Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha reported that Zelensky’s letter will be transmitted to the Russian side through official diplomatic channels. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Putin will be informed about the appeal, adding that if Zelensky wishes to meet with Putin, he can come to Moscow.
However, the Ukrainian side does not agree to hold negotiations in Moscow, considering it a delay in the process. Kyiv insists on a neutral location for the meeting, with Switzerland and Turkey mentioned as possible options.
Russia, for its part, conditions a ceasefire on the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the entire territory of the Donetsk region. Official Kyiv rejects the demand to transfer control of all of Donbas to Russia.
The Kremlin also stated that the issue of resolving the situation in Ukraine was discussed during the meeting of the presidents of the United States and Russia in Anchorage last August. According to representatives of the Russian Federation, the “spirit of Anchorage” should serve as the basis for further agreements.
Donald Trump, responding to journalists’ questions on May 12, assured that he had no agreements with Putin regarding the transfer of all of Donbas to Russia.