Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a “strong reaction” from Washington if Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses to hold a bilateral meeting aimed at advancing peace efforts.
Speaking to reporters in Kyiv on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said he had already agreed to U.S.-brokered proposals for direct talks but questioned Moscow’s willingness to engage. “I responded immediately to the proposal for a bilateral meeting: we are ready. But what if the Russians are not ready? If the Russians are not ready, we would like to see a strong reaction from the United States,” he said.
U.S. President Donald Trump has been leading an intense diplomatic push to end the war but acknowledged that Putin may be reluctant to negotiate. The conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has ground into attritional fighting, with Moscow holding just under 20% of Ukraine and making gradual gains in the east.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine first wanted clarity on what concessions Russia might offer before Kyiv considered its own. “To discuss what Ukraine is willing to do, let’s first hear what Russia is willing to do,” he said.
On speculation about Budapest serving as a potential venue for future talks, Zelenskyy was cautious, calling it “challenging” given Hungary’s close ties to Moscow. Hungary’s foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said Thursday his country had twice offered to host negotiations.
Despite diplomatic momentum, the path to peace remains uncertain, with Kyiv and its allies debating what long-term security guarantees for Ukraine might entail.
Written By Rodney Mbua
