Zelenskyy insists on personal talks with Trump over Ukraine, dismissing team's initiatives

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he does not consider initiatives for resolving the Ukrainian conflict coming from members of US President-elect Donald Trump's team, and will only discuss the issue with Trump personally.

"In every president's circle, there are different voices fulfilling various tasks... I will only take the conversation seriously with the President of the United States, with all due respect to any surrounding figures," Zelenskyy said in an interview with Ukrainian Radio, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Zelenskyy reiterated that both teams "will work on a meeting," but emphasized that since Trump has not yet taken office, he "cannot participate in all geopolitical processes" at this stage.

During his election campaign, Trump declared his intention to end the Ukrainian conflict. Zelenskyy has repeatedly acknowledged the risk of losing American support for Ukraine should Trump return to the White House. While in the US in September, Zelenskyy spoke with Trump, but many experts in Ukraine have expressed doubts about the effectiveness of that conversation.

Following news of Trump's election victory, Zelenskyy was among the first to congratulate Trump, posting a lengthy message on social media platform X, expressing hope for a personal meeting. He later called Trump directly. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga claimed there was "an agreement to prepare for a meeting." However, the media reported on certain initiatives from Trump's advisers or assistants regarding Ukraine's settlement. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump's team is reportedly considering plans to establish a 1,300-kilometer buffer zone along the current frontline.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly emphasized that Moscow has never ruled out a political-diplomatic resolution to the conflict over Ukraine. In a conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on November 15, he reminded that Russia remains open to negotiations based on proposals he made earlier in June at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Recently, Russia's Ambassador to the UN, Gennady Gatilov, stated that Russia is open to any peace talks with Ukraine if initiated by Trump.

However, he added that "any negotiations must be based on the realities of Russia's achievements":

"Trump promised to resolve the Ukrainian crisis in one night. Fine, let him try. But we, as realists, understand that this will never happen. But if he starts or proposes something to initiate a political process, it is welcomed."

Gatilov noted that Trump's election presents a new opportunity for dialogue with the US, but expressed doubts about a "reset" of relations.

By Tamilla Hasanova