• 'Over 2 hours of a pointed conversation with Trump that can really help bring this war closer to an end,' says Zelenskyy

​​​​​​​ISTANBUL

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that his more than two-hour conversation with US President Donald Trump could help bring the Russia-Ukraine war “closer to an end,” emphasizing discussions on battlefield positions, long-range capabilities, air defense and diplomatic prospects.

“Over two hours of a pointed conversation with the President of the United States that can really help bring this war closer to an end,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. “We discussed all key issues – our positions on the battlefield, long-range capabilities and air defense, and, of course, diplomatic prospects.”

He added that “Russia must end the aggression it started and continues to deliberately prolong,” expressing hope that Washington will maintain pressure on Moscow.

Earlier, Zelenskyy said he spoke with European and NATO leaders on details of his conversation with US President Donald Trump, stressing the joint goal of safeguarding lives and strengthening security across Europe.

The Ukrainian president said he held talks with the leaders from the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Finland, Norway and Poland, as well as with the heads of the European Union and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

“I shared details of my conversation with US President Donald Trump. We discussed many important issues. The main priority now is to protect as many lives as possible, guarantee security for Ukraine, and strengthen all of us in Europe,” he said.

He added that national security advisors from the involved countries will meet to coordinate next steps, expressing gratitude for continued support and solidarity with Ukraine.

The discussions came after Trump and Zelenskyy met Friday at the White House, where the Ukrainian leader voiced support for Trump’s suggestion that Moscow and Kyiv “stop where they are” and begin negotiations to end the war.

Zelenskyy called the meeting “productive,” highlighting discussions on air defense, weapons production and potential exchanges involving Tomahawk missiles and Ukrainian-made drones.

Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that Kyiv and Moscow “want to end the war” and announced plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary to discuss a possible peace deal.