First step towards an agreement: energy ceasefire
In his interview, President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasised that reaching an energy ceasefire must be the first concrete step demonstrating Volodymyr Putin's readiness to conclude an agreement. The next, second step, should be a direct meeting between the leaders of the two states, for which Ukraine is ready.
Expectations from trilateral consultations
The head of state outlined key requirements for the outcome of the trilateral meeting. Ukraine expects that within its framework, negotiations at the leader level will be organised, and an agreement on an energy ceasefire will be reached. The President noted that Kyiv is ready to discuss territorial issues, but this must happen exclusively at the highest level.
Situation with defence systems and US support
Zelensky reported that the United States has fully restored warnings regarding possible strikes with Russian ballistic weapons and lifted restrictions on the use of the Starlink system. At the same time, he emphasised that the acute shortage of missiles for air defence systems persists.
The President added that bipartisan support for Ukraine in the US Congress is now stronger than it was a year and a half ago. He also commented on the documents handed over by the American side to Putin, calling them not a plan to end the war, but merely proposals for conducting negotiations.
Strategic priorities and economic aspects
Volodymyr Zelensky stated his desire to maintain an army of 800,000 personnel. He emphasised the importance of maintaining sanctions pressure and frozen assets at the time of a possible meeting with the Russian leader. According to the President, the absence of these instruments would significantly worsen Ukraine's position in the negotiation process, as there would not be many cards in the "deck" then.
The head of state also noted that Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries did not cause a change in global oil prices.
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