In a bold move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed his readiness to meet directly with Vladimir Putin, proposing Budapest as the location for potential peace negotiations. Simultaneously, he urged former U.S. President Donald Trump to adopt a more aggressive strategy against Russia, advocating for intensified pressure. Zelenskyy stated that Putin warrants a stronger response than even groups like Hamas, emphasizing the need for increased leverage. The Ukrainian leader’s remarks follow his visit to Washington, where he sought advanced weaponry, including Tomahawk missiles that could threaten targets deep within Russian territory. While Trump’s response to this request remained unconfirmed, Zelenskyy saw it as a positive sign that a direct rejection was avoided. He highlighted Putin’s perceived fear of the U.S. supplying Ukraine with these long-range missiles, a move Russia has warned would escalate the conflict. Zelenskyy underscored Ukraine’s non-negotiable participation in any peace process, asserting, “How can there be some deals without us about us?” He confirmed his willingness to join a summit, provided it is focused on achieving a just and lasting peace. Despite Russia’s ongoing aerial attacks on Ukraine’s power grid, Zelenskyy characterized these actions as indicators of Russian weakness rather than strength, especially in the context of winter and potential energy disruptions. He firmly rejected any territorial concessions, arguing that such compromises would undermine the prospects for genuine peace negotiations conducted under duress. Zelenskyy also shared a hopeful outlook regarding Trump’s potential to broker an end to the conflict.
