Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated during a briefing in Washington that he is ready to discuss territorial issues with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He emphasized that this matter will remain between him and the Russian leader.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Discussions with American Leadership
Zelensky shared that during his meeting with the U.S. President and his team, he was able to clearly demonstrate who controls which territories. He highlighted that during the review of the map, there was a discussion regarding the percentage of occupied territories presented at the White House meeting.
At the same time, according to the president, his conversation with Donald Trump was conducted in a more constructive and warmer tone than previous contacts, without disputes but with substantive and meaningful discussion.
Security Guarantees and Prisoner Exchange
During the negotiations, Zelensky also reminded about the circumstances of Russia’s occupation of parts of eastern Ukraine and Crimea in 2014. He stressed that for the first time he had the opportunity to discuss these issues with the U.S. President without prepared texts, fully understanding the situation on every square kilometer of Ukrainian territories affected by the war.
“For the first time, I had the opportunity to talk about such matters with the U.S. President. Not reading from a paper, but having a very good understanding of each of our square kilometers soaked in the blood of our fighters. And for me, this is a very sensitive moment… I believe the president (Trump) heard and saw this, and there were various moments, but this is important information. Therefore, the issue of territory is something we will leave between me and Putin,” he noted.
Among the topics discussed in Washington were security guarantees for Ukraine, the possibility of a trilateral meeting, U.S. assistance in the prisoner exchange on the principle of “all for all,” and the return of Ukrainian children.
Zelensky emphasized that the parties did not reach unacceptable decisions and that Ukraine is ready for a bilateral meeting with Putin, which could become trilateral with the involvement of other partners.
On August 18, the President of Ukraine visited Washington, where he met with Donald Trump and key European allies. This meeting was marked by a friendly atmosphere and active discussion regarding Ukraine’s future security.
