Zelensky Says Russia Must End War Ahead of High-Stakes Talks in Washington

TDT | Manama

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said it is Russia’s responsibility to end the war, ahead of critical talks in Washington with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump is reportedly pressing Ukraine to give up Crimea and abandon its NATO ambitions.

Zelensky’s comments came just hours before he was scheduled to meet Trump and European leaders in the U.S. capital. The meeting follows a summit in Alaska between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that failed to secure a ceasefire.

Trump, who has shifted focus from a ceasefire to a final peace deal, said late Sunday that Zelensky could end the three-and-a-half-year conflict “almost immediately, if he wants to.” On social media, Trump added: “Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea… and no going into NATO by Ukraine. Some things never change!!!”

Arriving in Washington, Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s fight for independence. “Russia must end this war, which it itself started,” he said. “Ukrainians are fighting for their land, their independence. We hope that our joint strength with America and our European friends will push Russia toward a real peace.”

The meeting will start with a one-on-one discussion between Zelensky and Trump, followed by talks with leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Finland, along with NATO chief Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the White House said.

Ahead of the summit, China called on “all parties” to reach a peace agreement as soon as possible.

The conflict continues to claim lives. Between late Sunday and early Monday, Russian forces launched at least 140 drones and four ballistic missiles at Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian air force. A Russian drone strike on a five-story apartment block in Kharkiv killed at least seven people, while Ukrainian shelling in Russian-occupied parts of Kherson and Donetsk reportedly killed two.