Key points
- Zelensky has named a high-level delegation to meet US negotiators
- Ukraine has been seeking peace from the very first second of this war: Zelensky
- Zelensky met Trump at the White House on February 28
KYIV: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine is “fully committed” to having a constructive dialogue with US representatives next week over means to end the conflict with Russia, according to Western media reports.
According to AFP, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday named a high-level delegation including ministers to meet US negotiators on Tuesday.
Reuters reported since taking office in January, US President Donald Trump has paused US military aid to Kyiv as well as intelligence-sharing with Ukraine.
“Zelensky not serious”
Trump has accused Zelensky of not being serious regarding reaching a peace agreement with Russia, which invaded Kyiv three years ago and has seized about 20 per cent of its territory.
“Ukraine has been seeking peace from the very first second of this war. Realistic proposals are on the table. The key is to move quickly and effectively,” Reuters cited Zelenskiy as saying.
On the other hand, AFP reported that Russia’s defence ministry on Saturday announced the recapture of three more villages: Viktorovka, Nikolayevka and Staraya Sorochina.
Trump on Friday threatened new sanctions and tariffs against Russia over its bombardment of Ukraine, AFP reported.
The three-year-long conflict is now at a critical juncture for Ukraine after Trump suspended US military aid following his public falling-out with Zelensky last week.
Zelenskiy met Trump at the White House on February 28 but the encounter descended into acrimony when they clashed in front of the world’s media over peace moves.
Ukraine still controls some 400 square kilometres (150 square miles) in the Kursk region after launching an offensive last August. Zelensky sees this as a possible bargaining chip in peace dialogue, according to AFP.
