After Trump-Zelenskyy Showdown, US And Ukraine Set Sights on Russia Talks: Reports

New Delhi: Just days after a heated exchange between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the United States and Ukraine have begun formal discussions on potential peace negotiations with Russia.  

Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, and Trump’s National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, spoke over the phone to discuss the date and location for the next round of talks, according to Zelenskyy’s advisor, Mykhailo Lytvyn, as reported by the Kyiv Post.  

Waltz confirmed the discussions, saying, “I just got off the phone with my counterpart, the Ukrainian national security advisor. We are having good talks on location for the next round of negotiations, on delegations, on substance. Just in the last 24 hours … I think we’re going to see movement.”  

Trump Lauds Zelenskyy's Shift Towards Peace 

On Tuesday, Trump said that he received a letter from Zelenskyy expressing his willingness to engage in peace negotiations as soon as possible.  

“We received an important letter from the Ukrainian President, indicating his readiness to work under the leadership of the U.S. President for peace and to discuss an agreement on minerals. At the same time, we have also received signals from Russia showing their willingness for peace," Trump said.  

Trump lauded Zelenskyy’s shift toward peace, just days after criticizing him for not being prepared for negotiations.

Zelenskyy Calls Oval Office Spat With Trump ‘Regrettable’

This comes a day after Zelenskyy said that the Oval Office blowup with U.S. counterpart Donald Trump last week was “regrettable,” adding that he stands ready to work under Trump’s “strong leadership” to get a lasting peace.

Zelenskyy’s remarks came hours after the White House announced a pause in military aid to Ukraine that is critical to fighting Russia’s invasion.

But later during his nightly address, Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine hadn’t received direct notification from the U.S. that aid had been cut and was seeking confirmation.

“I have instructed Ukraine’s minister of defense, the heads of our intelligence agencies and our diplomats to contact their counterparts in the United States and obtain official information. People should not have to guess,” he said.

“Ukraine and America deserve a respectful dialogue and a clear position from one another. Especially when it comes to protecting lives during a full-scale war,” he added, saying that military aid had been cut once before in January for a brief period.

Zelenskyy also said Ukraine is ready to sign a lucrative deal on rare-earth minerals and security with Washington. Trump said during his address to Congress late Tuesday that he received a letter from Zelenskyy saying as much and that it noted Kyiv valued “how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence.”

“I appreciate that he sent this letter, just got it a little while ago,” Trump said. “Simultaneously, we’ve had serious discussion with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace.”

Earlier, in an apparent reference to Trump’s criticism following the contentious White House meeting Friday that Zelenskyy does not want a peace deal, the Ukrainian leader said, “None of us want an endless war.”

“Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts,” he said.

With AP inputs