Zelenskyy admits to 'best meeting yet'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made statements regarding the meeting he held with US President Donald Trump at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on April 26, on the sidelines of Pope Francis's funeral.

According to the statement shared by the Ukrainian Presidency, Zelenskyy said, "I think we had our best meeting yet with President Trump. I am sure that after our meeting at the Vatican, President Trump has begun to look at things differently. We will wait and see. In any case, this is his vision and his own choice."

Zelenskyy also announced that they had reached an agreement with US President Trump on a 30-day ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow. Stating that he also brought up the issue of sanctions during his meeting with Trump and that Trump's reaction to this matter was "very strong," Zelenskyy did not provide details on the subject.

"HE SAID THEY WOULD WORK ON THIS"

Stating that the mineral agreement signed with the US is beneficial for both countries, Zelenskyy argued that this agreement would not only secure the future of US investments but also protect Ukrainian territory and its people. The Ukrainian leader emphasized that the revenues to be obtained from his country's mines would not be taken out of Ukraine during the initial period and would instead be used for reinvestment. Zelenskyy said that air defense systems, which have been the issue Ukraine has focused on most since the beginning of the war, were also on the agenda during the meeting and that Kyiv's requests were conveyed to Trump. Zelenskyy said, "He told me that these are not free and that they would work on this."

RESPONDED TO CEASEFIRE PROPOSAL

Zelenskyy also responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal for a 3-day ceasefire within the framework of the Victory Day celebrations on May 9. Zelenskyy announced that his country would only accept a ceasefire agreement if it were set to last for 30 days.

WARNED LEADERS

Zelenskyy also stated that they could not guarantee the safety of foreign statesmen who would attend the May 9 celebrations in Moscow due to the ongoing war with Russia. "We cannot be held responsible for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation. They will be responsible for your safety, so we cannot give you any guarantees," Zelenskyy said.

REACTION FROM RUSSIA

Responding to Zelenskyy's remarks, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said that if the Russian capital, Moscow, were to be attacked during the May 9 Victory Day celebrations, no one could guarantee that the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, would see May 10.

The Kremlin, which is preparing to host a number of world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, at the May 9 ceremonies marking the anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, had announced that a 72-hour ceasefire would be in effect on May 8, 9, and 10.

News Source: İHA