Volodimir Zelenski and European leaders spoke to Donald Trump, after the Ukraine-Russia discussions in Istanbul
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The leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany, the UK and Poland spoke on Friday with US President Donald Trump, Volodimir Zelenski's spokesman, following the discussions of Kiev and Moscow representatives in Istanbul, announced.
“President Zelenski, President Macron, Merz Chancellor, Starmer Prime Minister and Prime Minister Tusk had a phone conversation with Donald Trump,” Sergei Nykyforov said on Friday.
The conversation took place shortly after the peace discussions between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul, which resulted in few progress besides an agreement for an exchange of prisoners, reports The Kyiv Independent.
“Ukraine is ready to take the most fast steps for real peace and it is important for the world to adopt firm positions,” wrote Volodimir Zelenski.
“If the Russians refuse a complete and unconditional cessation of fire and killings, there must be strong sanctions. The pressure on Russia must be maintained until Russia is ready to end the war,” added the Ukrainian president.
Shortly after, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also condemned Russia to stop the battles.
“The Russians from Istanbul interrupted the negotiations de facto and refused to cease the fire,” Tusk wrote on X. “It's time to increase the pressure,” the official added.
After talk with Trump, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Russia's position in negotiations remains clearly unacceptable, noting that this is not the first time this happens.
“I just had a meeting with President Zelenski and then a phone call with President Trump to discuss today's negotiations,” said British Prime Minister, quoted by Sky News.
“Therefore, as a result of that meeting with President Zelenski and that call with President Trump, we are now closely aligned and we will continue to do so,” added Starmer.
No other details about the content or duration of the call were provided.
A source of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration told The Kyiv Independent that the Russian delegation insisted on a Ukrainian withdrawal from the Donetk, Lugansk, Zaporojie and Herson regions, which the Kremlin declared annexed in 2022, but which it does not control.
Also on the occasion of the discussions in Istanbul, the parties reached an agreement for an exchange of war prisoners in a report of 1,000 to 1,000, said the Ukrainian Minister of Defense, Rustem Humorov, who led the Ukrainian delegation.
