Zelenskyy Open to Direct Talks with Putin Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed willingness to engage in direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as efforts intensify to bring an end to the nearly three-year war, according to an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan posted on YouTube. Zelenskyy emphasized that while he views Putin as an enemy, negotiations might be necessary to secure peace and protect Ukrainian citizens.

Despite Zelenskyy's openness, Putin has previously dismissed direct talks with him, labeling the Ukrainian leader as “illegitimate.” The ongoing conflict, which has resulted in significant casualties—Zelenskyy reported 45,100 Ukrainian fatalities and approximately 390,000 injuries—continues to put pressure on the Ukrainian government. The President further articulated the need for security guarantees and highlighted Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO as a pathway to security.

While U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a strategy to leverage Ukraine's rare earth materials for U.S. support, Zelenskyy remains focused on establishing a comprehensive diplomatic framework involving the U.S., Europe, Ukraine, and Russia, noting that current support has been insufficient to reclaim lost territories.

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