“According to the document, Russia has chosen delaying tactics, which indicates the seriousness of intentions regarding peace talks exclusively in Ukraine”, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
“We are all united in our desire for a just and lasting peace, which the people of Ukraine deserve. We strongly support President Trump’s position that hostilities must cease immediately and that the current contact line should be the starting point for negotiations,” the leaders said in a statement.
It is also emphasized that international borders should not be changed by force – this corresponds to the generally accepted line of Europe. According to the document, Russia has chosen delaying tactics, which indicates the seriousness of its intentions regarding peace talks exclusively in Ukraine.
“Putin continues to choose violence and destruction. Therefore, we clearly understand that Ukraine must be in the strongest possible position – before, during and after any ceasefire. We must increase the pressure on Russia’s economy and its defense industry until Putin is ready to make peace,” the statement said.
The leaders also note that they are developing measures to use the full value of Russia’s frozen assets “so that Ukraine has the necessary resources.” This issue will be one of the key issues on the agenda of the EU summit scheduled for October 23-24.
In addition, the statement said that later this week “the leaders will meet at the European Council and in the format of the Coalition of the Willing” to discuss the future plan and support for Ukraine.
On October 17, US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. The main topic of the conversation was the supply of weapons to Kyiv, in particular the possible sale of Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 2,500 kilometers. According to Axios, Trump denied Zelensky the supply of Tomahawks and made it clear that diplomacy is his priority now. The President of Ukraine himself said that “Trump didn’t say ‘no’, but he didn’t say ‘yes’ either.”
Before this meeting, on October 16, Trump spoke by phone with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Following the two-hour conversation, Trump announced that the presidents would hold a personal meeting in Budapest.
In an interview with NBC News, Volodymyr Zelenskyi also said that he is ready to join the upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, if it takes place in Budapest.
Speaking to reporters on October 19, Trump denied information that had previously appeared in the media that he pushed the president of Ukraine to transfer certain territories to Russia during their meeting on October 17.
The media reported that Putin, in a telephone conversation with Trump on October 16, demanded that Ukraine completely give up the Donetsk region, calling it a condition for the cessation of hostilities. Putin allegedly declared his readiness to cede part of the territories of the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions occupied by the Russian army.
Citing two unnamed sources familiar with the discussions, Reuters reported that the US president pushed the president of Ukraine to transfer territories to Russia during their meeting on October 17.
The Financial Times also reported on October 19, citing unnamed sources, that Trump told Zelensky during their meeting at the White House to accept Russia’s terms for ending the war, including the transfer of Donetsk region.
According to the FT report, Trump warned Zelenskyi that Russian President Vladimir Putin had threatened to “destroy” Ukraine if it did not agree to his terms.