Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks throughout a press convention with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not pictured), on the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany Dec. 15, 2025.
Liesa Johannssen | Reuters
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned on Saturday that Ukraine would again a U.S. proposal for three-sided talks with america and Russia if it facilitated extra exchanges of prisoners and paved the way in which for conferences of nationwide leaders.
Zelenskyy, talking to native journalists in Kyiv, additionally mentioned high Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov had advised him of the most recent discussions that occurred on Friday with U.S. negotiators in america.
A brand new spherical was scheduled for Saturday, he mentioned, specializing in Ukraine’s post-war restoration. Russian particular envoy Kirill Dmitriev was additionally in Miami for talks with U.S. officers.
Zelenskyy mentioned america was now proposing three-sided talks — america, Ukraine and Russia — on the degree of nationwide safety advisers.
“If such a gathering could possibly be held now to permit for swaps of prisoners of struggle or if a gathering of nationwide safety advisers achieves settlement on a leaders’ assembly…I can’t be opposed. We might assist such a U.S. proposal. Let’s have a look at how issues go.”
Zelenskyy mentioned Ukraine stood for proposals that would depart the “contact line” the place it was with out Ukraine having to surrender territory it nonetheless managed within the industrial area of Donbas in japanese Ukraine.
“For me, the honest model is we stand the place we at the moment are standing,” he mentioned.
“It is a matter of precept. Regardless of the format and nevertheless we method the problem, it is crucial for us that Ukrainian authorities retain management over that a part of Donbas that we management now.”
He mentioned a U.S. proposal to create a “free financial zone” in japanese Ukraine was a matter “to be determined by the folks of Ukraine”.
“We’re fastidiously engaged on each level, on each step to be able to obtain not a obscure ‘understanding’ in regards to the division of territory and assets, however an settlement on steady and lasting peace and dependable safety ensures,” he mentioned.
Zelenskyy additionally mentioned Ukraine and its European allies ought to proceed to assist the present U.S.-led peace talks, a format that was value “preventing for,” whereas including: “If it does not work out, we’ll all take into consideration different choices.”
Zelenskyy was responding to a query about remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron suggesting that Europe must re-engage in direct talks with Russia if the U.S.-led efforts founder.
Zelenskyy earlier mentioned he would focus on the brand new U.S. proposal for three-sided talks with Umerov.
Ukraine and Russia haven’t negotiated face-to-face since July, however U.S.-backed shuttle diplomacy to finish the just about four-year-old struggle in Ukraine has intensified in current weeks.
