Zelensky: “Yes, I Understand” We Need A Ceasefire On Current Front Lines To Begin Peace Talks
Ukrainian President Zelensky told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that he understands President Trump’s comment that peace talks with Russia must begin with a ceasefire on the current battle lines.
KRISTEN WELKER: President Trump said property lines should be defined quote, “by war and guts” after your meeting. “They should stop where they are,” he said. You have said territory would be the most difficult part of negotiations. Are you now willing to negotiate some territory – to give up some of Ukraine’s territory – in order to end this war, Mr. President? PRES. VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY: I understand the signal and message from President [Trump’s] public message. Yes, he published after our meeting, yes, as I understand it? KRISTEN WELKER: Uh-huh, after your meeting – PRES. VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY: Yeah, so I understand that we have to finish this war and begin this finishing from the place where soldiers stand, from the contact line, as I understood correctly. Yes, I agree that, if we want to stop this war and to go to peace negotiations urgently and in diplomatic way, we need to stay where we stay, not to give something additional to Putin because he wants. Because, I mean, he’s terrorist. That’s it, I can’t find other words. You see my level of my English is enough just to find correct words about this person. So that’s why we have to stay where we stay. Then begin any format – I said it several times – in any format bilateral, trilateral, but we need to negotiate. Peace talks have to be in – have to be in quiet situation. Not under missiles. Not under drones. KRISTEN WELKER: There has to be a ceasefire in place before you can negotiate – PRES. VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY: I think, yes.
