President Volodymyr Zelensky said trilateral negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States have been postponed as Washington shifts its focus to the Middle East.
In an interview with Italian broadcaster Rai on Wednesday, April 9, Zelensky said talks would resume later but stressed the importance of continued military support for Ukraine.
Zelensky welcomed the US-Israel / Iran ceasefire agreement, saying it could help ease global energy pressures.
At the same time, he said US attention has been diverted toward the Middle East, contributing to delays in diplomatic efforts related to Ukraine.
“Support for Ukraine, including weapons supplies, must continue,” Zelensky said, adding that negotiations “will resume.”
Zelensky also said he was ready to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin but ruled out holding talks in either Kyiv or Moscow.
“I am ready to meet Putin… There are many places where we could meet – in the Middle East, Europe, the United States, anywhere,” he said.
He rejected any discussion of conceding the Donbas to Russia.
“If we leave Donbas to the Russians, they will move forward without losses… They could attack Kharkiv and other key cities,” Zelensky said, adding that any territorial concessions would risk internal divisions and threaten Ukraine’s independence.
Zelensky proposed an Easter ceasefire on Monday, including a halt to energy infrastructure attacks. He said that while he prefers a long-term truce, short-term compromises could work if Ukraine’s “dignity and sovereignty” are respected. Ukraine is holding to its Easter ceasefire proposal despite Russia’s “unreadiness,” Zelensky said at the end of last week.
“We’ve all seen their response in the media: They seem not ready for this. I don’t know how serious it is. We’ve conveyed our request to the American side,” Zelensky said.