Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday he is ready for the next round of trilateral peace talks with the U.S. and Russia but stressed that Washington and Moscow must first agree on location and timing.
The U.S. proposed hosting negotiations involving envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, but Russia has refused to send a delegation. Zelenskyy stated Ukraine is not blocking any initiative and remains committed to dialogue.
The U.S. has postponed talks due to escalating conflict in the Middle East following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Zelenskyy warned this shift in focus risks depleting air defense stockpiles vital to countering Russian missile attacks.
He confirmed discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron on acquiring SAMP/T systems as an alternative to U.S. Patriot batteries, saying Ukraine would be first in line to test viable options.
Zelenskyy also pushed back on President Trump’s claim that the U.S. does not need Ukrainian drone technology. He revealed multiple U.S. military institutions have requested assistance, including a $35-$50 billion defense cooperation deal offering access to 200 Ukrainian AI and drone firms. While Trump expressed interest, no agreement was signed.