We want a permanent peace, not one that will result in conflict in Eastern Europe in a few years – said US vice president JD Vance after meeting the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelnski during the Munich Safety Conference. Zelanski emphasized the need for Kyiv to obtain real security guarantees. Earlier he said that Ukraine would never legally recognize the territories occupied by the enemy as Russian.
Ukrainian and American delegations talked during the Munich Safety Conference.
– Basically, our goal is, as President Trump said, the end of the war. We want killing to stop, but we want to (also) to achieve a lasting room, and not one that will lead Eastern Europe to a conflict in a few years, “said US vice president JD Vance at the end of the meeting. He refused to provide details about conversations to keep “The availability of options for negotiators and teams – so as to bring this matter to a responsible end.”
He announced that there would soon be further talks with Ukraine, about topics raised during the Friday meeting.
Zełenski agreed with the American interlocutor, thanked for the US support and declared that Kiev “really wants peace”. – We need to talk more, work more and prepare a plan on how to stop Putin. We need peace, we really want it. We need real security guarantees – said Zelanski. He emphasized that this was his first meeting with Vance, but not the last. None of the politicians raised the issue of agreement on Ukrainian mineral raw materials of critical importance. According to the media, Ukraine's refusal to sign the contract without the proposed amendments was to be the reason for postponing the meeting, which was originally planned for an earlier hour.
JD Vance talked in Munich with Volodymyr ZelnskiReuters
Next to Vance and Zełenski, the meeting was attended by, among others, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a special envoy for Ukraine and Russia General Keith Kellogg, and on the Ukrainian side – head of the office of President Andrij Jermak, deputy prime minister for integration with the European Union and NATO Olha Stefaniszyna , Minister of Defense Rustów and the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha.
Zelanski expressed gratitude especially for the presence of Kellogg, who was not mentioned by President Donald Trump among people who have negotiated with Russia.
Zełenski: We will never consider these territories to be Russian
Earlier, the Ukrainian president talked to journalists. – There is territorial integrity. From the point of view of international law, we will never recognize these territories (now occupied by Russia – ed.) As Russian. They are simply Ukrainian territories – said Wołodymyr Zelnski. He added that “this is our sovereignty.” – Only the Nation of Ukraine can decide about this, no one else – he noted.
Pete HegeSeth, the Secretary of Defense of the United States, said on Wednesday during the meeting of the contact group for the defense of Ukraine that the USA They do not consider the realistic return of Ukraine to the borders before 2014. HegeSeth also noted that the US does not intend to send their troops to Ukraine as part of a possible peace mission.
Zelanski also talked about his plans for international visits. – First of all, I do not want to meet the Russians only for the meeting. We look at the order of meetings. Order these are the United States, Europe, then Russia – he pointed out his priorities. – We are not against the meeting, but we stick to it first – he emphasized.
The President of Ukraine announced the official program of visits to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, where he will meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Zełenski: Putin is preparing for war against NATO countries
Zelanski was asked if he was afraid that Russia would attack Ukraine again after the conclusion of peace. He replied that based on what “what he got from the interview” he thinks that Vladimir Putin “is getting ready for war against NATO countries next year.” – I am not 100 % sure. Let God give, we will stop this madman and there will be no war, no war in the world or in Europe – he added.
He noted that Putin would not be stopped if he trices his word. – How to stop him? Giving us safety guarantees. I say this: we want NATO, but I don't want to leave Ukrainians without a security guarantee – he continued.
Zelanski estimated that the United States did not have a plan to end Russia's war against Ukraine. – I don't see the United States a ready plan. I am ready for a real conversation at any time. We are ready to talk about everything. From the contingent (peaceful – ed.) To Security guarantees. We are ready for every project to stop Putin – said the President of Ukraine.
The president noted, however, that if Ukraine is not admitted to NATO, this country needs an army of 1.5 million soldiers, equipped with a modern weapon. Zelanski repeated that in the absence of security guarantee, Russia will attack Ukraine again – wrote the Interfax -Ukraina agency.
Zełenski: Europe understands that it is very close
– I think that above all it is Putin's wish, that America would withdraw (…). I think it is very dangerous for everyone: for Ukraine, Europe and America. Putin certainly counts on this to divide us, divide this help, break this camp in half – said President Zełnski.
– Europe understands that it is very close, that this is one continent. Their Putin will reach anyway. He will do it faster without America – he added.
Source of the main photo: Reuters