Trump says Zelenskyy ready for ‘peace that lasts’; “an unjust peace cannot last” _ Ukraine presidential office deputy head
US President Donald Trump has told lawmakers that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent him a letter expressing a willingness to continue dialogue.
Trump made the remark in an address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. He said that he “appreciates” receiving the letter.
He also said that he has had “serious discussions with Russia” and has received “strong signals” that the country is ready for peace.
The president said the letter expressed a readiness to work under Trump’s “strong leadership to get a peace that lasts” and that it conveyed an appreciation for all “America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence.”
Trump suggested he is still hopeful about bringing peace to Ukraine even after his heated exchange with Zelenskyy.
US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz told reporters on Wednesday that he talked on the phone with his Ukrainian counterpart. He suggested they are trying to set up another meeting and had “good talks” on the location, as well as on the members of the delegation and the potential substance of the discussions. He added that they may see movement in “very short order.”
Zelenskyy said in a video address on Wednesday that there has been “forward momentum” on another round of talks and that he “hopes to see the first results next week.”
A senior official of Ukraine’s presidential office has said that a peace that is not just cannot be lasting and that Russia must be held responsible for its aggression.
Iryna Mudra, the Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, gave an exclusive interview to an international media organisation in Kyiv on Wednesday.
Mudra referred to last week’s White House summit between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which developed into a heated exchange.
She said Zelenskyy is “doing all he can in order to stop this war, in order to bring peace, and in order to bring back all the abducted children and all those people who moved out of the country.”
Mudra added, “Holding Russia accountable for war crimes” and for the “crime of aggression, for crimes against humanity is of the same importance as getting security guarantees and restoring territorial integrity.”
Mudra revealed that she met with Japan’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Nakagome Masashi, last month.
She said they discussed issues such as achieving a just and lasting peace, and using frozen Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine.
Mudra expressed profound gratitude to Japan for its “unwavering support of Ukraine in these most difficult times”, as well as its “generous humanitarian aid, financial support” and “vital medical equipment.” She added that Ukraine “would like to continue the strong strategic dialogue” with Japan.