Featured Image Credit: RALF HIRSCHBERGER/AFP via Getty Images
Topics: Ukraine, Russia, World News
James Moorhouse
Topics: Ukraine, Russia, World News
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a statement following the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
The two world leaders met on Friday (15 August) to discuss a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, with Trump suggesting beforehand that he wouldn't be happy unless a deal was agreed.
However, despite the 79-year-old American claiming that 'great progress' was made, no deal was reached, and a press conference in which neither leader took questions left everyone wondering what was actually discussed in the nearly three-hour meeting.
Trump later took to Truth Social to issue his thoughts on the summit, which was the first time the two have met in person since 2019, with exchanges limited to phone calls in recent months.
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He wrote: "A great and very successful day in Alaska! The meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia went very well, as did a late night phone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, and various European Leaders, including the highly respected Secretary General of NATO.
"It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.
"President Zelenskyy will be coming to D.C., the Oval Office, on Monday afternoon. If all works out, we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin. Potentially, millions of people’s lives will be saved. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Zelenskyy's previous visit to the White House was certainly an explosive one and the Ukrainian president has now spoken out ahead of his return to the US.
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“Ukraine reaffirms its readiness to work with maximum effort to achieve peace. President Trump informed about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion,” he said. “It is important that America’s strength has an impact on the development of the situation.”
Zelenskyy also said the US should strengthen sanctions on Russia if there is 'no trilateral meeting or if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war'.
It seems as if Donbas, a region of Ukraine which includes Donetsk and Luhansk, will play a huge part in determining any potential peace deal, as Putin reportedly outlined keeping it as one of his 'conditions' for ending the war.
Russia has occupied parts of the two oblasts (administrative divisions) since 2014 and he also reportedly wants to take control of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
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However, Zelenskyy has previously reaffirmed his commitment to keeping Donbas, and all other Ukrainian territory, under Ukraine's control.
"We will not leave Donbas. We cannot do this. Everyone forgets the first part - our territories are illegally occupied. Donbas for the Russians is a springboard for a future new offensive," he said.