Kyiv:Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Friday that he is only willing to engage in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but only after Ukraine has coordinated a unified strategy with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky revealed that Trump had shared his personal phone number, assuring him that he could reach out at any time.
“I will only meet with one Russian person—Putin—once we have a common plan with Trump and Europe. Then, we will sit down with Putin and work to end the war. Only under these conditions am I ready for a meeting,” Zelensky said in English.
Addressing his communication with Trump, who spoke with him for the first time since taking office on Wednesday, Zelensky shared a lighthearted exchange about direct contact.
“It was amusing… He told me, ‘You can call me anytime you want.’ I replied, ‘Thank you, but last time, you also said I could contact you directly but didn’t give me your number.’ He laughed and said, ‘Okay, you’re right. You can call anytime.'”
