Khaberni - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kyiv is ready to hold peace talks, but it will not withdraw its forces from additional territories first as Moscow demanded.
Zelensky stated to reporters today, Tuesday, that he is willing to hold talks anywhere except in Russia and its ally Belarus.
Plans for a summit in Budapest this month between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have been suspended after Moscow insisted on its demands, including Ukraine ceding more territory as a condition for a ceasefire.
Trump supported Ukraine's call for an immediate ceasefire based on the current situation at the front lines.
Zelensky said, "It is completely clear that we are dealing with diplomacy strictly from our current position.. We will not retreat and will not relinquish part of our state."
He added, "The important outcome is that the American side has finally expressed this message openly: President Trump has come out with this message."
Zelensky expressed happiness to attend the talks, including in Hungary, despite reservations about some stances of its Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who he said "hinders everything in front of Ukraine."
He added, "Let's hold the talks anywhere.. but certainly not in Russia, and definitely not in Belarus."
Zelensky urged members of the US Congress to pass stricter restrictions on Russia after Trump imposed sanctions on Moscow's two largest oil companies.
He affirmed that Ukraine will need consistent funding from its European allies for another two or three years.
