KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that Ukrainian officials want to meet with US President Donald Trump and European leaders next week to discuss recent developments in efforts to end the three-year war with Russia.
The proposed meetings appeared designed to add momentum to the push for peace, as Zelensky expressed frustration with what he called Russia’s lack of constructive engagement in the process while it continues to launch devastating aerial attacks on civilian areas.
Trump has bristled at Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s stalling on an US proposal for direct peace talks with Zelensky, and said a week ago he expected to decide on next steps in two weeks if direct talks aren’t scheduled.
Trump complained last month that Putin ” talks nice and then he bombs everybody.” But he has also chided Ukraine for its attacks.
At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday, the United States warned Russia to move toward peace and meet with Ukraine or face possible sanctions. The meeting was called after a major Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight from Wednesday to Thursday that killed at least 23 people
