Zelenskyy discusses US troop presence in Ukraine with Trump

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy tells the media that Kyiv is dedicated to persevering with talks on find out how to finish the struggle triggered by Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion and he’s prepared to fulfill Putin in any format

KYIV, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned on Tuesday, December 30, Kyiv was discussing with Washington a attainable presence of US troops in Ukraine as a part of safety ensures, and in addition raised what he referred to as a faked assault on Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s residence.

Zelenskyy instructed the media in a WhatsApp chat that Kyiv was dedicated to persevering with talks on find out how to finish the struggle triggered by Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion and he was prepared to fulfill Putin in any format.

US President Donald Trump mentioned on Sunday he and Zelenskyy have been “perhaps very shut” to an settlement to finish the struggle though “thorny” territorial points lingered. He was extra cautious than Zelenskyy on safety ensures, however mentioned they have been 95% of the way in which to such an settlement and that he anticipated European nations to “take over an enormous half” of that effort with US backing.

On Tuesday, Russia mentioned its negotiating stance would toughen after it accused Kyiv of attacking considered one of Putin’s Russian presidential residences — an allegation that Kyiv mentioned was baseless and supposed to scuttle arduous peace talks.

Zelenskyy eager on US troops in Ukraine

Zelenskyy mentioned in his WhatsApp chat {that a} US troop presence in Ukraine can be a serious safety enhance for Kyiv.

“After all, we’re discussing this with President Trump and with representatives of the (Western) coalition (supporting Kyiv). We would like this. We wish this. This is able to be a powerful place of the safety ensures,” he mentioned.

The White Home had no touch upon the difficulty of dispatching US troops to Ukraine below any peace settlement with Russia.

Zelenskyy mentioned he was prepared to fulfill Putin regardless of the deep lack of mutual belief he underlined on Monday.

“I instructed President Trump, European leaders I’m prepared for any format of assembly with Putin. I’m not afraid of any format…. The principle factor is for Russians to not be afraid.”

Russia mentioned on Monday Kyiv had focused a presidential residence within the Novgorod area with 91 long-range assault drones, all of which it mentioned it had intercepted.

Russian International Minister Sergei Lavrov described the alleged assault as “state terrorism” and mentioned Moscow had already recognized targets for retaliatory strikes in Ukraine.

The Kremlin supplied no bodily proof of the alleged incident, saying it will retaliate and evaluate its negotiating stance however wouldn’t stop talks on a attainable peace deal.

No proof of assault on Putin residence, French say

Zelenskyy mentioned earlier on Tuesday: “This alleged ‘residence strike’ story is an entire fabrication supposed to justify further assaults towards Ukraine, together with Kyiv, in addition to Russia’s personal refusal to take needed steps to finish the struggle. Typical Russian lies.”

In Paris, a supply near French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned there was no substance to corroborate Moscow’s accusation of an assault on Putin’s residence.

“Ukraine and its companions are dedicated to a path of peace, whereas Russia has chosen to proceed and intensify its struggle towards Ukraine. That is in itself an act of defiance towards President Trump’s peace agenda,” the supply mentioned.

The White Home declined additional touch upon the reported assault on Putin’s residence after Zelenskyy mentioned he introduced it up with Trump, who on Monday mentioned he was knowledgeable of the matter by Putin and was offended about it. Requested if there was proof of such an assault, Trump mentioned, “We’ll discover out.”

In Warsaw, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk mentioned on Tuesday peace might be achieved in Ukraine inside weeks due to US safety ensures though success remained “removed from 100% sure.”

Tusk additionally hinted at the potential for US troops being despatched to the road of contact between Ukraine and Russia, however he gave no particulars of such a proposal and the White Home didn’t instantly touch upon his remarks.

Tusk, whose nation is considered one of Kyiv’s closest Western allies, underlined the necessity for motion on territorial points. Russia had demanded Ukrainian forces withdraw from the final a part of the Donbas space in japanese Ukraine that they nonetheless maintain almost 4 years after Russia’s invasion. Kyiv desires preventing halted alongside present entrance strains.

Amid the intensifying peace diplomacy, Russia launched extra waves of drones towards port infrastructure and civilian ships in Ukraine’s Odesa area on Tuesday, Ukrainian navy and authorities officers mentioned.

Odesa and the broader area close by are dwelling to the Black Sea ports which might be essential for Ukraine’s overseas commerce and the survival of its wartime economic system.

Previously a number of months, maritime warfare between Ukraine and Russia has intensified. Either side have attacked naval and industrial belongings within the Black Sea and past.

Ukraine is more and more utilizing its sea drones for assaults on ships related to Russia’s sanctions-busting shadow fleet. – Rappler.com