The journalist recalled U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statement that negotiations between Ukraine and Russia had reached a deadlock and asked Zelenskyy whether he believed “Russia could ever agree to end the war.”
The Ukrainian president said there are “several tracks” in the negotiations and noted that the U.S. track had been the priority last year.
“It was a trilateral format — the United States, Ukraine and Russia. Yes, it was at a technical level, not at the leaders’ level, but at the level of national security advisers, and it was good,” Zelenskyy said.
He agreed that the situation had changed this year and that U.S. attention had shifted toward the Middle East. However, he added that there is also a European track.
“I have always believed that it cannot be only a U.S. track or only a European track. I think the strongest position is when Ukraine, Russia, the United States and Europe are all involved. I believe that is the strongest and most effective negotiating format,” Zelenskyy said.
He added that Ukraine is also open to a third track involving direct bilateral talks with Russia.
“I am ready to meet with Putin if he is also ready. I think we need more sanctions. I think we need more pressure. You asked when they [the Russians] will be ready. I believe that if there are more sanctions, they will be ready for dialogue,” Zelenskyy said.
On May 28, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Europe could not be a neutral mediator in potential negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. According to Kallas, Europe will always stand with Ukraine.
On May 8, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine had failed to produce results and that negotiations had “reached a dead end.”