Zelenskyy confirms preparations for meeting with Putin and Trump

Volodymyr Zelenskyy's briefing in Washington. Photo: Office of the President

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that after the talks in Washington, preparations for his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin are underway.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a bilateral meeting is planned first, followed by a trilateral conversation with US President Donald Trump.

«The US President supported the trilateral meeting. Russia, on the other hand, suggested holding a bilateral meeting first, and then a trilateral one. We are ready for any formats at the level of leaders, because this is the only way to resolve complex issues,» the Head of State said.

He added that European leaders also supported the readiness for a bilateral meeting with Vladimir Putin.

Zelenskyy meets with Trump at the White House

On 18 August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House for talks with US President Donald Trump. European leaders also arrived in Washington.

Following the talks, Trump and Zelensky called the bilateral meeting «very good». Afterwards, the US president had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and said he had begun preparations for a face-to-face meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian leaders.

This happened a few days after the talks between Trump and Putin in Alaska. The US president rated that meeting at «10 out of 10» and said that he would refrain from additional sanctions or other «serious consequences» for Russia, which he had previously promised.