Zelenskyy: Ukraine-U.S. Talks Back on Track, Russia Must Prove Peace with Ceasefire

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his address to the European Council, announced that Ukraine and the United States put discussions back on track and expressed hope for a “productive meeting” in the coming week, according to Radio Svoboda on March 6.

“We hope for a meaningful meeting next week,” Zelenskyy stated.

Radio Svoboda reports that Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine has sought peace since the very beginning of the war, but 'the only reason' it continues is Russia’s actions.

“Ukraine is not only ready to take the necessary steps for peace, but we are also proposing what those steps should be. I ask you to support us in this – to support Ukraine and the European leaders who are helping to pave the way for peace,” Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy outlined key measures needed to ensure de-escalation, stating, “Everyone must be certain that Russia, as the sole source of this war, recognizes the necessity of ending it.” He suggested that this could be demonstrated through two immediate ceasefires: halting attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure and stopping military operations in the Black Sea.

Zelenskyy also stressed that building trust in negotiations requires steps such as prisoner exchanges. “Any ceasefire or confidence-building measures should only be seen as a prelude to a comprehensive and just resolution – to a full security guarantee agreement and an end to the war,” he added.

While expressing gratitude for Europe’s support, Zelenskyy warned that Russia “is not reducing its investment in death, is increasing its army, and is continuously trying to bypass sanctions.”

“Right now, Russia has 220 combat-ready brigades. In five years, they plan to increase this number to 300. We must respond to this, ensuring safety today, tomorrow, and in the future. I welcome the European Commission’s efforts to rearm Europe. The rearmament plan is the right initiative,” Zelenskyy said.

President Zelenskyy urged European nations to allocate a significant portion of their defense funds toward arms production in Ukraine. “Our industrial capacity is the fastest and most relevant in addressing modern security threats,” he stated.

Previously, it was reported that The United States is pressing Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire with Russia as part of a minerals deal.