Zelenskyy says will talk to Russia once U.S., Ukraine agree position

This combination of pictures created on February 12, 2025 shows
U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and
Russian President Vladimir Putin.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday (February 14. 2025) he was ready for direct talks with Russia once Kyiv reached a common position with the United States and Europe on how to end the three-year war.

He also said Donald Trump had not finalised his plan for how he wants to end the conflict, two days after the U.S. President held phone calls with both Mr. Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“We are ready for any conversations with America and our allies,” said Mr. Zelenskyy.

“If they provide us with specific answers to specific requests from us and a common understanding of the dangerous Putin, then, with our unified understanding, we will be ready to talk with the Russians,” he added.

The Ukrainian leader is in Munich where he will hold talks with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Mr. Vance said Washington had “military leverage” it could use against Russia and that he backed Ukraine’s “sovereign independence”.

Mr. Zelenskyy said of Mr. Vance’s comments: “His signals were strong, we are grateful for that.”

Mr. Trump’s desire for a swift end to the war, his repeated criticism of aid to Ukraine and his lengthy phone call to Mr. Putin earlier this week have triggered concern in Kyiv that it could be forced to accept peace on Moscow’s terms.

But the U.S. leader has not yet outlined the terms for a possible agreement.

“I don’t see that the US has a plan ready,” Mr. Zelenskyy said on Friday.