Zelenskyy sets Ukraine’s red lines ahead of talks with Trump
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has underlined Kyiv’s red lines ahead of talks with US president Donald Trump, stressing that Ukraine will not accept capitulation or a peace imposed by Moscow.
“Of course there are red lines for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people,” Zelenskyy said in a statement posted on social media before the meeting in Florida. He again rejected Moscow’s demands - also echoed by Trump - that Ukraine cede parts of the Donetsk region currently not under Russian control.
Zelenskyy noted, however, that Kyiv has put forward “compromise proposals” on unresolved territorial issues. He said he intends to discuss with Trump a 20-point framework for a potential peace plan presented earlier this week, adding that security guarantees would be essential in the event of a ceasefire.
Earlier this weekend, Zelenskyy travelled to Halifax, Canada, where he met prime minister Mark Carney. Their bilateral talks were followed by a joint phone call with several European leaders, during which Zelenskyy thanked them for their continued support. Participants included German chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni and Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof.
Carney announced a new Canadian support package for Ukraine worth 2.5 billion Canadian dollars (1.6 billion euros), aimed at helping Kyiv secure loans from the International Monetary Fund.
Russia, meanwhile, claimed on Saturday to have captured the towns of Myrnograd and Huliaipole in eastern Ukraine and announced further advances along the front line. According to the Kremlin, president Vladimir Putin was briefed by the general staff on the “liberation” of Dimitrov - the Russian name for Myrnograd - and Huliaipole, located in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions respectively.
Russian Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov also warned Europe against deploying troops to Ukraine, telling the state news agency TASS that any European force sent there would be considered a legitimate target for Russian forces. He also accused European leaders of acting on “ambitions” without regard for the Ukrainian population or their own citizens.
The Kremlin continues to oppose any foreign troop deployment in Ukraine, viewing it as a threat. After his meeting with Trump later on Sunday, Zelenskyy plans further consultations with European allies.
© Pou/ROPI via ZUMA Press