The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, should not shy away from dialogue with the United States following the controversial negotiations with American leader Donald Trump at the White House. This stance was expressed by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Polish President Andrzej Duda, as reported by Tengrinews.kz.
"I told President Volodymyr Zelensky: 'You need to find a way, dear Volodymyr, to restore relations with Donald Trump and the American administration,'" Rutte said in a comment to the British media corporation BBC.
The NATO Secretary General described the negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine in Washington as "unsuccessful."
It is noted that on March 1, the NATO Secretary General is expected to participate in a summit on Ukraine in London. Zelensky has already arrived there. Approximately 10 European leaders are anticipated to attend, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Polish President Andrzej Duda also voiced a similar call.
"I do not see any other power in the world, besides the U.S., that could stop Russian aggression. Their capabilities are unmatched. I hope that ultimately their policy will put an end to this. Yesterday was a deadlock," he wrote on the social network X.
According to him, he spoke with Zelensky before his departure to Washington last week.
"I told him that, in my opinion, he should calmly negotiate with President Trump and seek an agreement, a common solution. He needs to return to the negotiating table. President Zelensky should sit down with him and agree on a resolution that will make Ukraine safe," Duda added.
Prezydent @AndrzejDuda przed wylotem do Stanów Zjednoczonych: Były różne próby doprowadzenia do zakończenia wojny na Ukrainę, która zaczęła się w 2014 r. Przez ten czas dyskutowano - a jednocześnie robiono z Rosją interesy - i nic z tego nie wynikło. Rosja dokonała w 2022 r.…
— Kancelaria Prezydenta (@prezydentpl) March 1, 2025
It is noted that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, in turn, called on EU leaders to initiate direct negotiations with Russia for peace in Ukraine, following the example of the U.S.
"I am convinced that the European Union, following the example of the U.S., should engage in direct negotiations with Russia for a ceasefire and sustainable peace in Ukraine," Orban wrote in a letter to Antonio Costa, who currently leads the European Council.
The document is cited by AFP and dpa agencies.
In the letter, Orban once again threatens to veto further EU assistance for Ukraine. This is set to be discussed at the EU summit on Thursday, March 6.
Recall that on Friday, February 28, Zelensky and Trump engaged in a verbal spat during a meeting at the White House. Trump accused Zelensky of ingratitude, unwillingness to achieve peace, and threatened to withdraw from the negotiation process regarding Ukraine if Kyiv did not make a deal. Zelensky left the negotiations prematurely, without signing an agreement on resources.
Following the scandal at the White House, European politicians overwhelmingly expressed support for Ukraine. Among them were von der Leyen, Scholz, likely future Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
