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Volodymyr Zelenskyy declined to call for Ukraine to agree to an immediate ceasefire in the war with Russia, saying that it would be “a failure for everyone” if it was not accompanied by detailed security assurances.
The rebellious Ukrainian president said he didn’t think it was necessary to engage in an explosive violation with Donald Trump at the White House on Friday, or to propose a plan to save his relationship with the U.S. president, despite his gratitude to the American people.
“This relationship will continue because it’s not just a temporary relationship,” Zelenskyy said after meeting with more than a dozen European leaders at a summit in London on Sunday.
Trump and his allies say Kiev should be willing to agree to a ceasefire, which was responded by British ambassador to Washington, Lord Peter Mandelson on Sunday.
Zelenskyy said Russia failed to comply with the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine after the Russian invasion in 2014, and he convinced him that it would be wrong to agree to stop the fight without a military-powered enforcement mechanism.
“If you don’t end the war, no security guarantees, no one can control the ceasefire,” Zelenskyy said at Stansted Airport in London.
Ukrainian leader was asked in French newspaper Le Figaro about France and Britain’s proposal for a “month-long truce on air, sea and energy infrastructure” but declined to comment.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he would develop a stable force for Ukraine’s stable forces involving France and other countries before introducing them to Trump, hoping that he would convince him to provide a US defender for any European mission.
The Ukrainian leader said Starmer’s announcement was a “good signal” but many details still need to be formulated.
“We will develop a work plan and have a clearer vision of what security assurances are provided to Ukraine,” he said of the meeting on Sunday. “For us, security assurance is confidence that the same thing won’t happen after this hot phase. [is over]. ”
Zelenskyy said he had no direct contact with Trump since the intense meeting on Friday, but officials had already communicated and he was “prepared to continue the conversation.” He said he was ready to get his minister to sign a controversial agreement to jointly exploit Ukraine’s mineral rights with the U.S. government, which he was supposed to do on Friday in the Oval Office.
Zelenskyy also said it is important to face-to-face with the president because the Trump administration has conveyed too much information.
“All of these structures send signals to each other. And I think it would be easier to have more time to have a direct conversation.
“I don’t know their tactics,” he said, adding that he didn’t want to be “surprised” in his conversation with the United States.
He said a candid conversation with Trump was correct, but accused the “absolutely open” form of Friday’s talks held in front of the media.
Asked how long Ukraine could defend Russia’s full-scale invasion without more U.S. military aid, Zelenskyy said Kiev hopes to “hope to seek new aid” and delivery approved by former President Joe Biden’s administration at the end.
“This is not good for anyone [the military aid] Stop,” he said, adding: [Russian President Vladimir] Putin specializes in.”
