Zelensky: Ukraine ready for Russia talks with U.S., EU involved
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukraine is ready to enter negotiations with Russia to end the war, which has been ongoing for nearly three years.

However, he emphasized that the United States and the European Union must be part of any discussions. Zelensky made these remarks during an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, as reported by Reuters.
“If people believe we need to move towards a diplomatic path—and I believe we are ready for this—then the U.S., Europe, Ukraine, and Russia must be involved,” Zelensky said. He also noted that if a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is “the only way to bring peace to the people of Ukraine, then we will certainly pursue that path.”
Kremlin dismisses Zelensky’s legitimacy
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov recently stated that it is “too early” to consider talks involving the four parties mentioned by Zelensky, as reported by Reuters. Moscow continues to regard Zelensky as “illegitimate,” claiming that his presidential term ended in May 2024.
Zelensky rejected this position, reminding that he was democratically elected in 2019 with 73% of the vote. He reiterated that holding elections in Ukraine is currently impossible from a legal standpoint due to the ongoing state of martial law. The only solution is to postpone the elections until the end of the conflict and the return to a stable democratic framework.
“I have always been open to elections, but during wartime, they require constitutional amendments and serious legal adjustments. The issue is not just legal—it’s also human. How will soldiers in the trenches vote? What will happen to the millions of Ukrainians in occupied territories? Do their voices no longer matter? And what about the eight million Ukrainians who have fled abroad because of the war?” Zelensky questioned.
Conflicting reports on U.S.-Russia contacts
Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently suggested that Washington and Moscow have already held discussions regarding Ukraine, though senior Russian diplomats have denied the existence of any direct contacts. Asked if he has already spoken directly with Putin, Trump said only, "I don't want to say that."
Additionally, Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, stated that Washington wants Ukraine to hold presidential elections by the end of the year, especially if Kyiv reaches a ceasefire agreement with Russia.
Heavy losses and calls for military support
In the interview, Zelensky also provided updated estimates of the human cost of the conflict. According to him, Ukraine has suffered 45,100 military fatalities, with 390,000 soldiers wounded. As for Russia, Zelensky estimated that 350,000 Russian soldiers have been killed, and between 600,000 and 700,000 have been wounded, with “many” reported missing.
Russia launched its invasion on February 24, 2022, quickly occupying territories in the north, east, and south. However, after fierce resistance, Ukrainian forces managed to repel the offensive targeting Kyiv, forcing Russian troops to withdraw from the region.
In 2022 and 2023, Ukraine launched several counter offensives, reclaiming strategic areas such as Kherson and parts of the eastern regions.
Since 2023, the frontlines have largely stabilized, with the war turning into a protracted conflict of attrition, as Russia gradually gained ground in the east.
In August 2024, Ukrainian armed forces launched a surprise offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, marking the first significant incursion into Russian territory since the start of the conflict.
Translation by Iurie Tataru