Ukraine is waiting for the US and Russia to agree on the next round of peace talks, Zelenskyy said

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a statement released on Sunday that he is ready for the next round trilateral peace talks to eliminate a Russian child over 4 years old invasion of Ukrainebut that it was up to Washington and Moscow to agree on where and when to meet.

Zelenskyy said that the US proposed to hold the next meeting between the negotiating teams of the US, Ukraine and Russia, including US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, but Moscow refused to send a delegation.

“We are waiting for an answer from the American people. They will change the country where we meet, or the Russians must convince the US,” said Zelenskyy at a press conference on Saturday. “We are not blocking anything from these plans. We want a double meeting to be held.”

The US has postponed its sponsored talks between the two sides because of the war in the Middle East. The Iran war, which erupted on February 28 following the US-Israeli attack on Iran and spread across the region, has drawn international attention to Ukraine’s plight as it tries to fend off a massive Russian army.

Speaking to reporters, Zelenskyy also warned of the “very serious” risk that a war with Iran could destroy the air defenses Ukraine relies on to combat Russian missiles.

Zelenskyy said he did not have a clear picture of the assets available and discussed with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday that the SAMP/T systems could serve as an alternative to US-made Patriot batteries to intercept ballistic missiles. He said Ukraine would be “first in line” to explore any viable alternative.

He also appeared to contradict US President Trump’s recent statement that Washington does not need Ukraine’s drone technology.

“No, we don’t need their help in protecting the drone,” said Mr. Trump in a Fox News Radio interview that aired on Friday.

Zelenskyy said that Washington has reached out to Ukraine “many times” to ask for the help of a particular country or the support of the Americans, without giving details. He said the requests came from various US military centers and were addressed to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and other military leaders.

“All our institutions received these requests, we answered them,” said Zelenskyy.

He said he offered Washington a defense cooperation agreement last year worth $35-$50 billion that would have given the American administration access to technology from 200 Ukrainian drones, AI and electronic warfare companies, part of all products reserved for partners, especially the US.

According to the leader of Ukraine, American military officials have expressed interest in this proposal, and Mr. Trump himself has indicated that he accepts it.

“We received a message from them, and directly from the president, that they are interested,” Zelenskyy told reporters. “We didn’t sign this document with President Trump. I don’t have an answer as to why. Maybe it will happen later, but I’m not sure.”