Nigeria: Ukraine’s Zelensky calls for talks with Putin as peace efforts stall

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated his call for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing it as “the most effective way forward” in ending the ongoing conflict between the two nations. This comes after US President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker a Ukraine-Russia summit were met with skepticism from Russia, which ruled out any immediate meeting between Putin and Zelensky.

Zelensky emphasized the need for a just peace, where Ukraine’s future would be decided by its citizens, stating, “We need a just peace, a peace where our future will be decided only by us.”

He asserted that Ukraine is “not a victim, it is a fighter” and that the country has “not yet fully won, but it will certainly not lose.”

Zelensky highlighted the importance of foreign troops in Ukraine once the war ends, as part of potential security guarantees with its allies.

He thanked world leaders, including Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron, Britain’s King Charles, and Pope Leo, for sending messages to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day.

Ukraine and Russia have exchanged 146 prisoners of war and civilians each, in the latest series of swaps between the two nations.

Ukraine launched drone strikes on Russia, triggering a fire at a nuclear power plant, while Russia responded with missile and drone attacks on Ukraine.

 Norway and Germany have pledged to provide Ukraine with two complete US Patriot systems, with Norway contributing $700 million to the effort.