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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
UNIAN, photo by the Office of the President of Ukraine, UNIAN, Kovalchuk Viktor Administration of the President of the United States Donald Trump insists on taking three immediate steps within its efforts to de-escalate the war in Ukraine and restore diplomacy with Russia.
This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with Axios. In particular, as the head of state noted, these points include:
a ceasefire regarding energy infrastructure;
the resumption of the operation of the "grain corridor" in the Black Sea;
a trilateral meeting United States-Ukraine-Russia, presumably in Abu Dhabi.
As Zelenskyy noted, the proposal for a joint halt to attacks on energy infrastructure came from the United States. The President of Ukraine stressed that Ukraine is ready to agree to it. "The proposal is currently on the agenda: an energy ceasefire. We are ready," Zelenskyy said.
The president also added that the United States is seeking to reopen the "grain corridor" and convene a trilateral meeting between the United States, Ukraine, and Russia.
What Zelenskyy expects from a possible trilateral leaders' level meeting
As Zelenskyy explained, he told U.S. President Donald Trump that he would prefer to hold a trilateral meeting and make an energy ceasefire one of its first concrete outcomes.
According to the Ukrainian president, the United States talked about the possibility of first holding a meeting between technical teams, rather than a leaders' meeting. Abu Dhabi was named as a possible place for such a meeting. "We are open — any country, any format," Zelenskyy said.
In addition, Zelenskyy said he told Trump that their meeting at the G20 summit in December in Miami could also serve as an opportunity for a trilateral leaders-level summit.
In Zelenskyy's view, a tripartite meeting in one room would itself be a significant step toward de-escalation.
Zelenskyy has doubts that Putin will agree to a trilateral meeting
Moreover, as the Ukrainian President noted, Trump’s special representatives Steve Bieffcoff and Jared Kushner were very optimistic when they relayed to him the progress of the meeting with Putin in Moscow. "They said: 'We think Putin is ready.' I said: 'Listen, I’m not sure'," Zelenskyy recalled.
According to Zelenskyy, the American emissaries reacted: "No, we are close." In this connection, Zelenskyy told them that he was ready to discuss an energy ceasefire and other de-escalation steps, but remains skeptical that Putin will comply.
Zelenskyy continues to doubt Putin’s intentions and believes that the Russian leader may find reasons to avoid a trilateral leaders-level meeting.
Other countries involved in talks with the Kremlin about restoring the "grain corridor"
Additionally, Zelenskyy held meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and officials from India, the UAE, and Egypt regarding efforts toward an energy ceasefire and the resumption of the "grain corridor". Zelenskyy said these countries are also speaking with Russia.
"Everyone wants a ceasefire. The corridor must operate again. We support that. They are talking to the Russians. I know. We shall see," Zelenskyy said.
Negotiations on the war in Ukraine - latest news
As UNIAN reported, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that there will be no winners in Russia’s war against Ukraine, and it would be logical to end it with a peace agreement.
At the same time, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia is not ready to agree to a ceasefire during negotiations with Ukraine.
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