Zelenskyy says Ukraine will find way to involve Europe in peace talks

Ukraine is using every opportunity for negotiations even in the absence of European representatives, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said amid preparations for the trilateral meeting between the US, Ukraine and Russia.

Source: Zelenskyy at a press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The president did not directly confirm whether the European side would indeed be unrepresented at the technical talks between the US, Ukraine and the Russian Federation on ending the war.

However, he stressed the need for Europeans to be involved in the negotiation process.

Quote: "First and foremost, this will be a trilateral meeting of technical groups: the United States, Russia and Ukraine. But you know that we have been working from the very beginning on how to involve Europe."

"It has been accepted that this is a trilateral meeting, but this is not something new. It is not a new trilateral meeting format. It was blocked before, and now it has been unblocked," he added.

Zelenskyy noted that Russia does not support Europe's presence at the talks, but he emphasised that it is the European side that will be involved in future security guarantees for Ukraine.

Quote: "But we hope that one way or another we will find a way to involve Europe. Ultimately, we are talking about security guarantees for Ukraine. I do not see this happening without Europe. After all, we are talking about reconstruction."

Asked why Ukraine agrees to formats that do not involve Europeans, the head of state replied that Kyiv is using every opportunity to advance the negotiation process.

Quote: "Of course, I think it is important for Europe to be there. But if the Americans say no, [and that] this time we will only have a trilateral meeting, we will not ruin this opportunity to meet. Because we need to move this process towards peace in any format."

Zelenskyy added that more clarity is needed on who will represent Europe in the negotiations on ending the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Background:

• Ushakov, an aide to the Russian leader, stated that the European side would not participate in the trilateral technical talks between the US, Ukraine and the Russian Federation to be held next month.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expects the Ukraine-US-Russia trilateral meeting to take place between 6 and 10 November.
• Zelenskyy said that, following a conversation between European leaders and Putin, there are indications that Russia is serious about a meeting of the negotiating teams in Abu Dhabi. He added that whether the trilateral meeting of Ukrainian, US and Russian technical teams planned for early November will be held depends on the US.

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