Zelenskyy reports on talks with Trump team

Olha Kovalchuk, VALENTYNA ROMANENKO - 1 April, 20:25

Zelenskyy. Photo: Office of the President

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke on 1 April with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, representatives of his US counterpart Donald Trump, including on the proposal for a ceasefire over the Easter holidays.

Source: Zelenskyy in his evening address on 1 April

Details: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and US Senator Lindsey Graham also joined the conversation.

Zelenskyy said the talks covered Ukraine's ceasefire proposal, as well as security guarantees and the involvement of European partners.

He said the parties agreed to strengthen security guarantees for Ukraine.

Quote: "I have already instructed our team to update the documents promptly so that the security guarantees for Ukraine are strong and the prospect of post-war reconstruction is real. Everything must be workable. Everything must be up to date. We see what changes are happening in the world, how much can change in a single moment. This applies to both alliances and security challenges."

More details: Zelenskyy added that the US representatives are ready to work together to reach compromises on issues related to ending the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Quote: "The key is how all of us together speak with Russia and what we speak about. Also key is how well the documents are prepared, particularly those on security guarantees, so that Ukrainians clearly understand how our partners will respond in the event of further Russian aggression and exactly what will deter Russia from aggression."

More details: Zelenskyy also said he expects the Ukrainian and US teams to continue to work in the coming days so that "everyone can feel that progress is being made".

Background:

The issue of Ukrainian territory has recently re-emerged as a key problem in efforts to bring the Russo-Ukrainian war to an end. On 25 March, Zelenskyy stated that the US's offer of security guarantees is conditional on the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the unoccupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Zelenskyy's statement to this effect was a lie.
Zelenskyy maintains that the US is prepared to provide Ukraine with security guarantees only after Ukrainian troops withdraw from Donbas.

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