Ukrainian Leader Touches Down in Washington Ahead of Ceasefire Talks with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Washington, D.C. ahead of a planned meeting with US President Donald Trump to discuss a ceasefire.

President Zelenskyy had already arrived in Washington and would meet with President Trump the following day, adding that he would also speak with European leaders, The Caspian Post reports via Zelenskyy’s message on Telegram.

He expressed gratitude to the US president for the invitation and emphasized that everyone equally wanted to end the war quickly and reliably, stressing that peace must be lasting.

The president stressed that peace should not resemble past compromises, such as the forced cession of Crimea and parts of eastern Donbas, warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin used those concessions as a launchpad for further military actions.

Reflecting on the 1994 security guarantees provided to Ukraine, Zelenskyy said that they had ultimately failed, emphasizing that Crimea should not have been surrendered at that time, and, similarly, after 2022, Ukrainians did not give up Kyiv, Odesa, or Kharkiv, as they were fighting for their land and independence.

Zelenskyy also highlighted military success in Donetsk and Sumy regions and expressed confidence in Ukraine’s ability to defend its territory.

He concluded by saying that Ukraine effectively guaranteed security and that its people would always be grateful to President Trump, everyone in the US, and all partners for their invaluable support. He added that Russia must end the war it had started and expressed hope that their combined strength with the US and European friends would compel Russia to achieve genuine peace.