Zelensky Asserts Ukrainian Sovereignty as Trump Pushes for Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks
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In a significant diplomatic shift, former U.S. President Donald Trump engaged in back-to-back high-level discussions with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky late last night, seeking to revive momentum toward a negotiated ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Following these conversations, President Zelensky addressed the press in Kyiv with a firm message: Ukraine will not be sidelined in any international deliberations over its future. Zelensky revealed that he had personally urged Trump not to make unilateral decisions involving Ukraine during his outreach to President Putin.
&ldquo;These are matters of principle for us,&rdquo; Zelensky said, underscoring Ukraine&rsquo;s position that any path to peace must include Kyiv at the centre of negotiations, not as a bystander to global power plays.
Zelensky confirmed he had two direct conversations with Trump&mdash;once before and once after the American leader&rsquo;s dialogue with Putin. He further noted that Ukraine&rsquo;s team has maintained open lines with their Russian counterparts in recent days, with prisoner exchanges and the potential locations for future peace talks now under discussion. While the Vatican remains in consideration, alternate venues are reportedly being weighed.
The most tangible outcome thus far is a prospective 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner of war exchange between Russia and Ukraine&mdash;likely the largest of its kind since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. The Ukrainian president clarified that discussions are also underway regarding political prisoners and detained journalists. However, he categorically rejected any notion of exchanging captured children for military personnel, calling such proposals unethical and a violation of humanitarian norms.
&ldquo;Children must be returned unconditionally,&rdquo; Zelensky stated emphatically.
Oversight of the process has been entrusted to Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, along with the Security Service of Ukraine and military intelligence. Zelensky expressed optimism that concrete outcomes could materialise within days or weeks, signalling that the fragile diplomatic effort may soon yield its first substantial breakthroughs.
Yet, the president was unequivocal&mdash;Ukraine will not pull back its forces from contested territory as a precondition for ceasefire. For Kyiv, sovereignty and territorial integrity remain non-negotiable.
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Ukraine President  Volodymyr Zelensky (image source social media)

Zelensky insists Ukraine won’t be sidelined as Trump pushes Putin for ceasefire roadmap

Zelensky Demands Role in US-Russia Peace Talks

Zelensky insists Ukraine won’t be sidelined as Trump pushes Putin for ceasefire roadmap

May 20, 2025 | 11:14 IST