Zelenskyy: Europe should be a participant, not a mediator, in negotiations with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Europe should take a direct part in negotiations to end the war, rather than acting as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia.
According to Zelenskyy, the issue of European countries’ participation in the future negotiation process was discussed during the leaders’ meeting. He emphasized that Europe supports Ukraine and has sufficient leverage over the aggressor, so it cannot remain a neutral party.
The president noted that the final decision regarding Europe’s representation must be made by the European partners themselves. Among possible formats, he mentioned the participation of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany within the E3 framework.
“This is a good option, but it depends on Europe. It must make up its mind and propose its vision, and we will support it,” Zelenskyy said.
At the same time, the head of state emphasized that Ukraine will not agree to negotiations where decisions regarding its future are made without its participation.
According to the president, it is important not to repeat the mistakes of past years related to the “Minsk process” and the “Normandy format,” when certain agreements with Russia were presented to Kyiv as fait accompli.
“Nothing about us without us,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
Separately, the president noted that Ukraine is interested in the United States’ participation in any format of negotiations, as it counts on security guarantees from both the U.S. and European partners.
Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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