Zelenskyy on Trump, Xi and Putin meeting: They have the right to meet, but not to discuss Ukraine without us
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the US, China and Russia can hold trilateral meetings, but if Ukraine is being discussed, then Ukraine must be at the negotiating table.
Source: Zelenskyy at a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb on 20 October
Quote: "I spoke about a trilateral meeting on the level of the leaders of the US, Ukraine and Russia. 'Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine', as my partners already said. I do not know what about trilateral meeting will be between America, China and Russia – it's up to them. But of course, if the issue is about Ukraine and our future, it can be acceptable only when we are at the table of negotiations. It's absolutely clear."
Details: Zelenskyy added that the morning had begun with "positive signals" from the Americans, as he had a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, followed later by a meeting in Oslo with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
"Now we had a very constructive dialogue. But it was very constructive between us because all of us want peace – Ukraine, Europe, the US. And we will see what will be tomorrow," Zelenskyy concluded, referring to Witkoff's visit to Russia, where he is due to meet with the Russian leadership.
Background:
- The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Russian leader Vladimir Putin has proposed a meeting with US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping next month to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
- Rubio said there have been discussions about a meeting, but it has not yet been confirmed.
- On 19 October, Trump said he is ready to meet Putin and Xi to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, even without Zelenskyy taking part.
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