Zelensky's breakthrough declaration: I am ready to meet Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with German public television ARD that he is ready to meet Vladimir Putin. He estimated that the war would end when the United States and European countries “bring the Russian leader to justice.”

– The war will end when US President Donald Trump, together with Europeans, brings Vladimir Putin to justice and will force him to engage in real negotiations that will bring results, Zelensky emphasized in an interview in Kiev.

In his opinion, the claim that his country is losing the war is a “Russian narrative.”

Russia is fighting to destroy us as an independent state, and we did not allow it, Zelensky said.

He pointed to the recent successes of Ukrainian forces on the front, including the recovery of 300 square kilometers of territory in the Zaporizhia Oblast.

The Ukrainian leader expressed his readiness to compromise on the ceasefire and his openness to talks about Russian territorial claims. – I have a simple message for Putin: I am ready to meet. We must end this war – he declared.

Ultimatum for Viktor Orban

In an interview with a German station, Zelensky criticized the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban. – If he blocks EUR 90 billion, it will be for us will put himself on an equal footing with Putin and (Belarusian leader Alexander) Lukashenko, he noted.

The government in Budapest announced that it would block an EU loan worth EUR 90 billion for Ukraine, even though in December 2025 Orban, together with other EU heads of state and government, agreed to grant it. Now EU countries must unanimously agree to the EU taking out the loan, although Hungary and Slovakia will be exempt from any obligations.

Security guarantees and the role of Berlin

In the context of the EU, Zelensky called for accelerating Ukraine's accession procedures to the Community. – We carry out reforms during the war. We do more in times of war than other EU candidates do in times of peace, he said. At the same time, he appealed to European countries to increase economic pressure on Russia and further impede its oil exports.

The President of Ukraine expressed gratitude to Germany “for taking a leading role in Europe in supporting Ukraine.”

He also emphasized that after a possible ceasefire, he would expect a more active role from Berlin. He expressed hope that Germany would then join France and Great Britain, which declared their readiness to send soldiers to Ukraine to maintain peace.

From Berlin Mateusz Obremski (PAP)

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