Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Monday that Ukrainian and U.S. teams will meet this week to explore the possibility of peace negotiations between Kiev and Moscow.
Zelensky made the announcement at a press conference in Kiev alongside visiting Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
On the same day, the Ukrainian president also noted that he held a meeting with U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Affairs Keith Kellogg, during which the two sides discussed how to push Russia toward genuine negotiations to end the conflict.
Ukraine is ready for dialogue at the leadership level and considers it necessary to resolve key issues, Zelensky said, adding that Russia also needs to be equally prepared.
Kellogg said the work on security guarantees for Ukraine is still underway, and the issue remains complex and difficult.
According to Russia's state-owned agency Tass, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Monday that all parties should build upon the success and outcomes achieved at the recent meeting between Russian and U.S. leaders in Alaska, and Russia is doing so.
The Ministry also noted on Sunday that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated President Vladimir Putin is willing to meet with Ukrainian leaders, provided the meeting could indeed bring decisive results. However, he noted that the agenda for a leaders' summit between the two countries is not at all ready.
Russia suggested first raising the level of delegation-based talks between Russia and Ukraine to discuss specific issues in humanitarian, military and political fields that require the attention of the two leaders.
On Aug. 15, Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump held a meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. The two sides described the talks as "constructive" and "productive," though no agreement was reached on issues such as a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Answering questions from reporters on Monday, Trump said details of U.S. involvement in Ukraine's security guarantees have not yet been discussed, but the U.S. will provide support in a backup role, while Europe will be the main provider of security guarantees for Ukraine.
Trump also said that if Putin and Zelensky do not meet, there will be very serious consequences, adding that before he himself holds a meeting and possibly reaches an agreement, a summit between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders would be appropriate.
Ukrainian, U.S. teams to discuss peace talks this week: Zelensky
Ukrainian, U.S. teams to discuss peace talks this week: Zelensky
