Zelenskyy seeks 'clear position' from Trump over efforts to end Ukraine war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged US President Donald Trump to adopt a “clear position” on a sanctions package targeting Russia and concrete security guarantees for Ukraine, calling them essential steps to stopping Vladimir Putin and ending the war.

In an interview with Sky News, Zelenskyy emphasised that the ongoing conflict can only be halted if firm security commitments are established.

Zelenskyy also expressed hope that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer would address the long-term security of Ukraine during his state visit with Trump to Britain this week.

“I very much hope he (Starmer) will be able to have a very specific discussion on the security guarantees of the US for Ukraine,” Sky News quoted Zelenskyy as saying.

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“Before we end the war, I really want to have all the agreements in place. I want to… have a document that is supported by the US and all European partners. This is very important.

“To make this happen, we need a clear position of President Trump,” added Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy also called on the US president to take “strong personal steps” to “stop Putin,” following Trump’s appeal to Nato allies to halt Russian oil imports and impose tariffs on China as a means of pressuring Moscow.

“I believe that the US is strong enough to take decisions of their own,” he said. “I believe Donald Trump can give us air defence systems in quantity and US has enough.

“I’m sure the US can apply enough sanctions in order to hurt the Russian economy, plus Donald Trump has enough force to make Putin afraid of him.

“Europe has already introduced 18 sanctions packages against Russia. And all that’s lacking now is a strong sanctions package from the US,” Zelenskyy added.

His remarks followed criticism he made during a Sky News interview at the Presidential Palace in Kyiv, where he addressed the recent Trump-Putin summit in Alaska.

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Zelenskyy said Trump “gave a lot to Putin” and argued that “he should have paid more” in return.

On British fighter jets scrambling over Poland in response to a Russian drone incursion, Zelenskyy warned that Putin is deliberately probing Nato’s resolve.

“He’s testing Nato,” he said, adding, “He wants to see what Nato is ready for, what they’re capable of, both diplomatically and politically, and how the local population will respond to this.”

“Also, in my opinion, the other message they are sending is, ‘don’t you dare to give Ukraine additional air defence systems, because you might need them yourself.’”

Trump will arrive in the UK later today for a historic second state visit at the invitation of King Charles.

He and First Lady Melania will stay at Windsor Castle, where they will be honoured with a flypast by the Red Arrows and UK and US F-35 fighter jets over the east lawn, followed by a formal Beating Retreat military ceremony.

The Trumps will also visit Chequers, the official country residence of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. However, the agenda for their talks remains undisclosed, including whether the war in Ukraine will be addressed.

With inputs from agencies