Ukrainian President Zelenskyy insists Ukraine must be involved in any peace negotiations with Russia, rejecting bilateral talks between Moscow and Washington without Kyiv's participation.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday Ukraine would not accept any bilateral agreement on its fate reached by Moscow and Washington without Kyiv's involvement, and called for Europe to have a seat at the table in negotiations to end the war.
The Ukrainian leader made the comments at a nuclear plant on his way to the Munich Security Conference, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to Russian leader Vladimir Putin Zelenskyy and announced the start of negotiations.
"We, as an independent country, simply will not be able to accept any agreements without us," Zelenskyy told reporters.
The Putin call and remarks by Trump's defence secretary, who said Kyiv cannot join NATO or that a return to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders is unrealistic, have caused alarm in Europe that the White House could seek to make a deal with Russia without them.
"Today it's important that everything does not go according to Putin's plan, in which he wants to do everything to make his negotiations bilateral (with the U.S.)," Zelenskyy said.
He said it was important for the United States and Ukraine to draw up a plan to end the war before talking to the Russian side. He has been pushing to meet Trump before Trump meets Putin, although the U.S. president said on Wednesday that he was expecting to meet Putin in the future, probably in Saudi Arabia.
Ukraine has said it is working on a Zelenskyy-Trump meeting, but nothing firm has been announced so far.
Zelenskyy said he did not discuss the matter of NATO membership during his phone call with Trump, though he said he knew that the United States was against the idea.
He also tried to play down the significance of Trump calling Putin before him on Wednesday, saying it did not look like a marker of Washington's real priorities but adding that it was nonetheless "unpleasant".
At least two people, including a 9-year-old girl, were killed in Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, as questions remain over Kyiv’s participation in upcoming peace talks proposed by Moscow.
Pakistan has announced it will appoint an ambassador to Afghanistan for the first time since the Taliban took control of Kabul in 2021, becoming the fourth country—after China, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan—to do so.
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke by phone about bilateral relations, regional stability, and global challenges.
Ukraine on Friday withheld its confirmation of participation in the next round of peace talks with Russia, scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul, stating it first requires a detailed proposal from Moscow outlining its conditions for a potential truce or peace deal.
Ukraine is holding off on confirming its participation in peace talks with Russia until it receives a formal proposal document outlining Moscow’s positions, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Friday.
More than 500 people were arrested and two fatalities reported following chaotic celebrations across France after Paris Saint-Germain's historic Champions League victory, according to the interior ministry.
Wildfires in western and central Canada have triggered the evacuation of more than 26,000 people, with provinces including Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta facing major threats.
Indonesian rescuers are continuing their efforts to locate eight people still missing after a quarry collapse in West Java left at least 17 dead and six injured, with authorities warning of ongoing landslide risks.
China has issued a formal protest against the United States over recent remarks by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing Washington of “vilifying” Beijing and promoting confrontation in the Indo-Pacific.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 1st, covering the latest developments you need to know.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
Taxi drivers across France are protesting government plans to cut payments for driving patients to medical appointments. These cuts are part of a broader effort by Prime Minister François Bayrou to save €40 billion in the 2026 budget and reduce the country’s large deficit.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
More than 500 people were arrested and two fatalities reported following chaotic celebrations across France after Paris Saint-Germain's historic Champions League victory, according to the interior ministry.
Wildfires in western and central Canada have triggered the evacuation of more than 26,000 people, with provinces including Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta facing major threats.
China has issued a formal protest against the United States over recent remarks by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing Washington of “vilifying” Beijing and promoting confrontation in the Indo-Pacific.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 1st, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Türkiye’s first floating natural gas production platform, Osman Gazi, reached Filyos Port in Zonguldak on May 31.
More than 500 people were arrested and two fatalities reported following chaotic celebrations across France after Paris Saint-Germain's historic Champions League victory, according to the interior ministry.
Wildfires in western and central Canada have triggered the evacuation of more than 26,000 people, with provinces including Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta facing major threats.
Indonesian rescuers are continuing their efforts to locate eight people still missing after a quarry collapse in West Java left at least 17 dead and six injured, with authorities warning of ongoing landslide risks.
China has issued a formal protest against the United States over recent remarks by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing Washington of “vilifying” Beijing and promoting confrontation in the Indo-Pacific.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 1st, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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