Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would be willing to hold talks about a peace settlement with former U.S. President Donald Trump, noting he is prepared to speak with any American leader who might help end the war. He described the offer as a pragmatic effort to pursue a diplomatic solution while insisting that any deal must preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Zelenskyy said a genuine peace would require robust security guarantees, the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from occupied Ukrainian territory, and accountability for abuses committed during the conflict. He warned that negotiations cannot sacrifice Ukraine’s fundamental demands or the rights of its citizens.
The comments come amid active diplomatic discussions among Western partners about how to support Ukraine, balancing continued military assistance, economic pressure on Russia, and steps to design a durable settlement framework. Debates in the United States over future aid and the potential involvement of current and former U.S. officials have increased attention on whether political figures outside the administration could play roles in talks.
Analysts say Zelenskyy’s willingness to engage a range of interlocutors signals openness to exploring all avenues for ending the fighting, but major obstacles remain: Moscow’s stated objectives, changing battlefield realities, and political divisions among possible mediators. Any forward movement will hinge on whether the parties can agree on concrete terms that restore Ukrainian control over its territory and create enforceable, credible security arrangements.
