Zelenskyy says meeting with Putin possible only if Ukraine has strong position and security guarante / The New Voice of Ukraine

Author: Demian Shevko

A meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will only be possible when Ukraine secures a strong position and receives clear security guarantees, Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, said on Feb. 14 during a national television broadcast.

According to Yermak, Zelenskyy has made it clear that he would be willing to meet with Putin “when Ukraine is ready for such negotiations.”

“When Ukraine has a strong position aligned with our partners—primarily the United States and Europe. When Ukraine understands what security guarantees we will have. That moment has not yet arrived,” Yermak stated.

Previously, Zelenskyy said he does not plan to meet “with any Russians” except for the Russian dictator himself.

During the Munich Security Conference, he emphasized that any talks with Putin would only take place after a joint plan is prepared with U.S. President Donald Trump.

“I will not meet with Russians. I don’t know whether they like it or not… I will only meet with Putin. But only after we prepare a joint plan with Trump. And only if Putin ends the war. That is the only case in which I would agree to meet. There will be no other platforms for compromise,” Zelenskyy stated.

Yermak: Zelenskyy will meet with Putin only if Ukraine has strong position and security guarantees