Zelenskyy urges direct talks with Putin as Trump sets peace deadline

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy put out a statement praising President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker peace and calling for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"We see and support President Trump’s efforts to end Russia’s war, to stop the killing, and to achieve a dignified and lasting peace. We are grateful to everyone around the world who supports peace efforts and helps us protect lives," Zelenskyy wrote on X.

"We understand who makes the decisions in Russia and who must end this war. The whole world understands this too. Ukraine calls for moving beyond the exchange of statements and technical-level meetings to talks between leaders. The United States has proposed this. Ukraine has supported it. What is needed is Russia’s readiness," the Ukr...