Zelenskyy Sets Conditions for Meeting with Putin as Fighting Escalates
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he would only consider a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin once his allies have established security guarantees to deter future Russian aggression following the conflict’s conclusion, reports 24brussels.
Zelenskyy made these comments on Thursday, amidst increasing tensions as both sides prepare for intensified fighting. He noted that Russia has been bolstering its military presence along the southern front, while Ukraine has been testing a new long-range cruise missile.
In contrast, Russian officials claimed that Ukraine does not appear interested in achieving a “long-term” peace agreement, asserting that Kyiv’s security demands are incompatible with Moscow’s requirements.
US President Donald Trump is currently attempting to facilitate discussions aimed at ending Russia’s three-and-a-half-year invasion of Ukraine, although progress on a peace deal has been minimal.
“We want to have an understanding of the security guarantees architecture within seven to 10 days,” Zelenskyy told reporters in a press briefing released Thursday. He emphasized the need to clarify which countries will commit to specific actions at critical moments.
A coalition of allies led by Britain and France is in the process of establishing military support mechanisms for these security guarantees.
Fresh Russian Barrage Unleashed
Once a framework for the security guarantees is agreed upon, Trump aims to facilitate a face-to-face meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin. However, Zelenskyy specified that any such summit must occur in a “neutral” European country, firmly rejecting the notion of hosting talks in Moscow.
Additionally, he dismissed the possibility of China participating in security guarantees for Ukraine, citing Beijing’s alleged alignment with Moscow.
Zelenskyy’s remarks coincided with a significant Russian attack involving hundreds of drones and missiles targeting Ukraine overnight—marking the most extensive assault since mid-July. This offensive resulted in one fatality in Lviv and left numerous others injured.
According to local officials, a subsequent shelling incident in Kherson also resulted in one fatality and six injuries. Explosions reportedly echoed throughout the night in Kyiv, as journalists observed from the capital.
France condemned the strikes, characterizing them as indicative of Moscow’s “lack of will to seriously engage in peace talks” and labeling the assault the “most massive attack in a month.”
Russia Claims Territorial Gains as Ukraine Tests New Weaponry
On the battlefield, Russia announced the capture of the village of Oleksandro-Shultyne in the eastern Donetsk region, adding to a series of territorial acquisitions. This village is located approximately eight kilometers from Kostiantynivka, a strategically significant town that Russia is pushing towards from multiple angles.
In a press conference Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of demanding unrealistic security stipulations. He deemed any prospect of European troop deployment in Ukraine as “absolutely unacceptable.”
Lavrov stated, “The Ukrainian regime and its representatives comment on the current situation in a very specific way, directly indicating their lack of interest in achieving a sustainable, fair, long-term settlement.”
Separately, Zelenskyy announced the successful test of Ukraine’s long-range cruise missile, designated Flamingo, capable of striking targets up to 3,000 kilometers away. He expressed confidence in the missile’s performance and indicated that mass production could commence by February.
Since Trump reassumed the presidency in January and advocated for an end to hostilities, Russian forces have gradually expanded their control across the front line. Zelenskyy reported that Russian troops are amassing along the front in the Zaporizhzhia region, which Russia claims along with four other Ukrainian territories.
Trump met with Putin in Alaska last Friday before hosting separate discussions with Zelenskyy and European leaders in Washington on the following Monday. Zelenskyy believes that a meeting with Putin is vital to concluding the conflict and has suggested that Trump should be present as well.
However, Moscow has downplayed the likelihood of a summit between the two leaders occurring soon, expressing its desire to be involved in discussions regarding future security guarantees for Ukraine.
(vib)
