Zelenskyy: Talks with Putin possible after security deal, eyes Trump in trilateral meet

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says talks with Putin may happen if security guarantees are secured

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin could potentially be held in neutral locations such as Switzerland, Austria, or Turkey,  but only after concrete security guarantees are agreed upon, according to news agency AFP.

"We want to have an understanding of the security guarantees architecture within 7–10 days. And based on that understanding, we aim to hold a trilateral meeting," also with US President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy said.

Speaking to the media, Zelenskyy emphasized that any meeting with Putin would be contingent on securing strong international backing for Ukraine's sovereignty and defense.

Amid ongoing hostilities, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia is increasing its military presence along the southern front, particularly in the Zaporizhzhia region, which Moscow claims as part of its territory.

"Zaporizhzhia: the enemy is reinforcing," Zelenskyy told reporters on Thursday, according to comments shared with AFP. He added, "We can see that they continue transferring part of their troops from the Kursk direction to Zaporizhzhia."

On the diplomatic front, Zelenskyy said he has appealed to US President Donald Trump to press Hungary to lift its block on Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations, which remain stalled due to Budapest’s opposition.

In a significant development, Zelenskyy also announced that Ukraine has successfully tested a new long-range missile, further boosting its domestic defense capabilities amid the ongoing war.

(With agency inputs)