Zelensky asks Trump to change tactics and press Russia in negotiations

O ukrainian president today urged the US counterpart to resort to another tactic to pressure Russia in negotiations with Ukraine rather than to approach Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

“ Perhaps it was his tactic to approach Putin and thus lead him to negotiate: lift sanctions to mediate and, during mediation, do business with Russia... It may be your tactic, but today we see that it did not work,” Volodymyr Zelensky said at a conference at the University of Copenhagen with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

The Ukrainian leader, who is between today and Wednesday visiting Denmark, asked Trump to use “all his opportunities and power” to find a different way to pressure the Russian President.

Zelensky's visit coincides with the start of tripartite negotiations in Abu Dhabi, with the United States as mediator, the first between Moscow and Kiev in almost nine months.

“ It is difficult to have good news with the Russians, not our best friends,” Zelensky said about the negotiations, adding that humanitarian issues and security guarantees were addressed on the first day.

Asked whether the return to the negotiating table would be a way to satisfy Trump, Zelensky stated that it was not his function to “make happy” the Republican leader, but to do everything in his power to involve all parties and that any result, even if it was just the exchange of prisoners, would be a positive step.

During the conversation, Zelensky insisted on the need for a ceasefire and to freeze the front line as a first step towards starting negotiations and was skeptical about the possibility of giving up territories to Russia, adding that he does not trust Putin.

The Ukrainian President accused Russia of using the attacks on energy infrastructure as part of its operations, “to divide the population, exert pressure and create chaos”.

Prior to his lecture at the university, Zelensky had a meeting with Frederiksen, which coincided with the announcement of a new Danish military aid package to Ukraine worth about EUR 645 million, including air defense and drones.

“ I think there are still many things we can do, not only for Denmark and Europe, but also for the Voluntary Coalition. Air defense is priority number one”, said Frederiksen in the following lecture, and also highlighted critical infrastructure and energy.

Frederiksen stressed the unity of Europe and the Nordic countries with regard to Ukraine, whose leaders are meeting Zelensky today at a work dinner.

Zelensky will close his visit to Denmark with an audience at the Royal Palace with King Frederick X and a visit to Parliament, where he will deliver a speech.