Trump, possible meeting with Zelensky next week

2025-02-07 21:28:36, Kosova & Bota CNA

Trump, possible meeting with Zelensky next week

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York, September 27, 2024. Source: Reuters

United States President Donald Trump said on Friday that he is likely to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky next week.

The United States is trying to end the war in Ukraine and Zelensky has said it is important for them to meet before Trump meets Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Maybe I'll meet with President Zelensky next week," Trump said on Friday.

He stressed that the meeting place "could be Washington," adding that "I will not go [to Kiev]."

Trump has repeatedly vowed to quickly end Russia's war against Ukraine, which this month enters its fourth year since Putin launched a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. The meeting would be the first between them since Trump's new term began on January 20.

Trump made these comments a week before the start of the Munich Security Conference, which will be held from February 14 to 16, where the largest war in Europe since 1945 is expected to be one of the main topics of discussion.

Zelensky is expected to attend the annual conference, as is Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, who this week denied reports that the United States would unveil a peace plan for Ukraine at the meeting.

Trump and members of his administration have given few details about any specific proposals for ending the war, but Kellogg recently said both sides would have to "make some concessions."

In an interview with Reuters news agency on Friday, Zelensky said it was "very important" that he and Trump meet before Trump meets with Putin, noting that "otherwise, it would look like a dialogue about Ukraine without Ukraine."

"It is still important for partners to discuss their own issues first and then have a conversation with the enemy," Zelensky told Reuters.

There have been no announcements so far about concrete plans for a meeting between Trump and Putin.

Zelensky reiterated his call for strong security guarantees from the West for Ukraine as part of any ceasefire or peace deal and said it was essential for the West to outline a broad strategy before talks with Moscow take place, Reuters reported.

He added that his team has had regular contact with Kellogg and Trump's national security adviser, Michael Waltz./ REL