Zelenskyy Plans To Discuss 'Next Steps' With Trump After US President's Ceasefire Talks With Putin

Kyiv: Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he plans speaking to US President Donald Trump on Wednesday to discuss “next steps” and to hear more about his call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin . Zelenskyy said that one of the most challenging aspects of future negotiations would be addressing the issue of territorial concessions.

At a news conference in Helsinki with President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, Zelenskyy said, "Today I will have contact with President Trump" he added, “We will discuss the details of the next steps with him.”

He highlighted that for Ukraine, the key red line is the recognition of the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories as part of Russia, affirming that Ukraine would never agree to such a compromise.

Putin's Claims are Contrasting, Says Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy pointed out that Putin's claim of agreeing to halt attacks on energy infrastructure was in stark contrast to the reality on the ground, especially after a series of drone strikes across Ukraine.

“Even last night, after Putin’s conversation with ... Trump, when Putin said that he was allegedly giving orders to stop strikes on Ukrainian energy, there were 150 drones launched overnight, including on energy facilities,” Zelenskyy said.

Russia said that it had stopped its targeting of Ukraine's energy facilities and accused Kyiv of attacking equipment near one of its pipelines.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “Unfortunately, we see that for now there is no reciprocity on the part of the Kyiv regime," 

Trump-Putin Phone Call

Donald Trump on Tuesday held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid ongoing ceasefire talks regarding the Ukraine conflict. The much-anticipated conversation described as "very good and productive," Trump highlighted on the leaders’ shared commitment to ending hostilities in the region.

During the call, Trump said that both leaders agreed on an "immediate ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine." He further reiterated his belief that the conflict would not have begun if he would have been in power that time.

Trump said, “This War would have never started if I were President! Many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed, including the fact that thousands of soldiers are being killed, and both President Putin and President Zelenskyy would like to see it end. That process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of Humanity, get the job done!”

(with AP inputs)