Zelenskyy on negotiations, war, money and security

Negotiations with the US and Russia

Ukraine has shared with the United States its vision of the most difficult issues for future agreements. These include territories, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and financing for reconstruction. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this is part of a 20-point plan that also includes security guarantees and monitoring mechanisms. Now Kyiv is waiting for the results of contacts between the US and Russia.

The territorial compromise

The President called the option of stopping along the frontline fair. Ukraine is not ready to withdraw from the territories controlled by the legitimate authorities and will not accept a scenario in which the Russian army stays and the Ukrainian army withdraws. Any possible withdrawal can only be a mirror image. The issue of a free economic zone, if it arises, should be decided by the people of Ukraine.

Is Russia ready to end the war

Zelensky said that he does not see any real readiness for peace on the part of Russia. Despite Ukraine's active meetings with the US and Europe and the work on documents, Moscow, according to the president, does not demonstrate any changes in its behaviour.

Pressure on Russia

The head of state is convinced that the United States should increase pressure on the Kremlin. We are talking about tough sanctions against the entire Russian economy and large-scale military support for Ukraine. Without this, Zelenskyy emphasised, Putin will not feel the real consequences and will not negotiate.

Proposal for a trilateral meeting

Washington has proposed a meeting of security advisers from Ukraine, the US and Russia. The President does not expect any breakthroughs, but supports the format if it results in prisoner exchanges or preparation of a meeting at the level of leaders.

Air defences and missiles

Partners began to withhold missiles for Ukrainian air defence. One of the reasons, according to Zelenskyy, is the attacks by Russian drones in Europe and the desire of countries to preserve stocks before winter. At the same time, Ukraine needs the full amount to defend its cities, including Odesa.

Budget and money for 2026

The government's request for 45 billion euros to cover the budget deficit for 2026 has already been closed. This is half of the 90 billion agreed by European leaders. There are also bilateral financial agreements with partners, which Kyiv is asking not to reduce.

Financing the army

Ukraine will not be able to maintain an army of 800,000 soldiers on its own. Therefore, the support of partners is seen as a key guarantee of security for the transitional post-war period until the economy recovers.

Poland and the EU

Zelenskyy positively assessed the first meeting with the new Polish President Karol Navrotskyy and thanked Warsaw for its principled position on EUR 90 billion of aid.
The president linked the anti-Ukrainian position of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to the internal elections, emphasising that Ukraine's path to the EU is already irreversible and is part of security guarantees.

Human Resources Solutions

The President confirmed the discussion of replacing the commander of the Southern Air Command. The decision is related to the need to respond more quickly to threats and strengthen the defence of the southern regions.