ISTANBUL
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Russia is “afraid of direct negotiations,” as he also confirmed his readiness to meet with US President Donald Trump at the Vatican during the funeral of Pope Francis, according to Ukraine’s state-run news agency Ukrinform.
Speaking at a press briefing, Zelenskyy said: “Maybe they (Russians) are afraid that the Americans will leave the negotiation format, or maybe they are doing it to push them out.”
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine remains open to negotiations only after a full ceasefire, saying: “With an understanding of the term, we are ready for any format of negotiations with them. Any.”
He cited ongoing contacts among defense ministers and senior officials from Ukraine, the US, the UK, and France, including upcoming ceasefire talks in London.
On the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), currently under Russian control, Zelenskyy insisted that the facility cannot operate without Ukrainian technical staff.
“Without Ukraine, it will not work,” he said, underlining that even US support alone would not be sufficient.
The president said Ukraine welcomes a partnership with the US for infrastructure restoration, such as at the ZNPP or the missile-hit Motor Sich facility in Zaporizhzhia, but stressed mutual commitment is essential:
“We and America are not afraid to enter into a partnership, but a partnership is a partnership.”
Zelenskyy also addressed rumors about US involvement in ZNPP’s management, stating that he had heard no official proposals: “There are a lot of messages, rumors. Officially, I have never heard any proposals.”
As for potential US disengagement from the peace process, Zelenskyy warned it would amount to losing a strategic partner. “It’s not just about aid. It’s about intelligence, and about ballistics, and about life.”
He confirmed plans to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome, where Trump is also expected.
“We are always ready to meet with partners from the United States. Always,” he said in response to a question about meeting the US president at the Vatican.
Zelenskyy’s remarks come amid increasing Western coordination for a ceasefire, as well as debate over the future operation of the Zaporizhzhia plant.
– Kyiv will not recognize Russian control of Crimea
Zelenskyy reaffirmed that Ukraine does not legally recognize Russia’s control of Crimea, which contradicts the country’s Constitution.
“This is outside our Constitution. This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine,” he said.
Regarding Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, Zelenskyy emphasized that there was no official refusal, noting the US did not support such a decision.
“Russia cannot veto Ukraine’s membership in NATO because it is not a member of the Alliance,” he said.
Zelenskyy questioned the logic of abandoning NATO membership as a security guarantee, asking: “What will Russia abandon then? They said they entered Ukraine to protect their own security. If NATO is not approaching, what will Russia offer?”
– China’s indirect role in Russian drones
Zelenskyy raised concerns about China’s potential indirect role in Russian drone production.
He said he asked Ukraine’s Security Service to provide Beijing with information on Chinese nationals working at a drone factory in Russia, suggesting Moscow may have stolen Chinese drone technology without official consent.
“It may be so … that Russia stole — agreed with these citizens, outside of agreements with the Chinese leadership — these technologies,” he said.
He added that Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service would brief China on Tuesday on possible arms transfers from Beijing to Moscow, and that information would be shared through diplomatic channels.
“We will also try to transmit relevant information directly to Beijing through other channels,” Zelenskyy noted.
The president confirmed that no communication had taken place between the two countries’ leaders, and information exchange is limited to embassies and diplomats.
Chinese officials have yet to comment on the remarks.
