Zelensky says he is ready to meet Putin 'in any country', ties a deal to a new US aid package

Aid package as a condition

Zelensky told journalists that Moscow could move toward more realistic steps once the US Congress is ready to pass a strong support package for Ukraine («Санкції і зброя»: Зеленський розповів, що може схилити Путіна до поступок – Suspilne) (Путін може піти на поступки до кінця року: Зеленський назвав ключову умову – TSN) (Зеленський назвав кроки, які можуть схилити Путіна до поступок у війні – UNIAN). In his account, such a package could combine sanctions and weapons deliveries. He suggested that under these conditions a de-escalation might be reached before the end of the year.

Reference to the 2024 Victory Plan

Zelensky recalled that in autumn 2024, during a meeting with Donald Trump at Trump Tower, he presented him with a plan for Ukraine's victory. Zelensky described the document as envisaged strengthening Ukraine so that Putin would sit down at the negotiating table and accept real steps. Zelensky argued that Kyiv should return to the mechanisms already developed to strengthen its position, just as Putin has returned to the idea of security guarantees.

Meeting with Putin

According to UN permanent representative Andrii Melnyk, speaking at a UN Security Council session on 9 November, Zelensky is ready to meet Putin at the first opportunity, in any location, and Moscow is not an acceptable venue ("Хоч ч Антарктиді": Зеленський готовий зустрітися з Путіним, - Мельник – UNIAN) ("Навіть в Антарктиді": де Зеленський готовий зустрітися з Путіним — постпред України в ООН відповів – TSN). Melnyk named a possible December meeting in Florida during the G20 summit as one option and mentioned Antarctica as another, but ruled out Russia. Zelensky also said he is waiting for steps from Trump, whom he described as having enough influence to push Putin toward dialogue.

Talks timeline

Zelensky said participants in the negotiating process want to reach a result before the end of 2026, citing political changes expected in Europe and the US next year ("Надія є": Зеленський розкрив, чи можливо досягнути угоди з Росією до кінця цього року – UNIAN). He said a trilateral round in Abu Dhabi had no negativity but expressed skepticism about progress. He also said Russian representatives told the Abu Dhabi talks they lacked authority to discuss steps that could reduce civilian suffering ("Путін розлючений": Зеленський озвучив тривожні подробиці переговорів – TSN).

US envoy's plans

According to US negotiator Steve Witkoff, after meeting Putin he plans to brief Zelensky in Ireland and try to persuade him to choose one of the options proposed for ending the war ("Переконати Зеленського": Віткофф розкрив, про що говоритиме з президентом України після зустрічі з Путіним – TSN). Witkoff also expressed hope that a next round of trilateral talks could be announced after the Putin meeting.

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