KYIV/LONDON/BERLIN - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that even a partial ceasefire with Russia will be a positive result and will bring Ukraine closer to conflict resolution, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.
Speaking during a video briefing following a phone call between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Zelensky said Ukraine supports any proposals that would lead to a lasting and just peace.
He expressed interest in learning the details of the Trump-Putin conversation and sharing them with Ukraine's partners.
"There are two sides in this war -- Russia and Ukraine. Without Ukraine's involvement, I believe reaching an agreement is futile," Zelensky stressed.
He confirmed that Russia and Ukraine are planning a prisoner exchange under the "175 for 175" formula announced following the Trump-Putin talks.
Commenting on Ukraine's military operation in Russia's western Kursk region, Zelensky said that Ukrainian forces remain in the area and will continue their mission as long as Ukraine needs this operation.
Earlier in the day, Trump and Putin agreed that the movement to peace in Ukraine "will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace," the White House said in a statement.
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Separately, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated the country's "unwavering support" for Ukraine in a phone talk with Zelensky on Tuesday evening, according to a Downing Street statement.
"The prime minister spoke to President Zelensky this evening. They discussed progress (US) President Trump had made towards a ceasefire in talks with Russia," the statement said.
"President Zelensky updated on the situation on the frontline and the prime minister reiterated UK's unwavering support," the statement added.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed on Tuesday that any peace negotiations regarding the conflict in Ukraine must fully involve the Ukrainian government.
During a meeting in Berlin, the two leaders underscored their unwavering support for Kyiv, emphasizing that no decisions about Ukraine's future should be made "over the heads" of the Ukrainian people. They called for a "just and lasting peace."
Their talks came ahead of a European Council summit in Brussels later this week, where Ukraine, European defense, and economic competitiveness will be key topics of discussion. "We are in complete agreement that Ukraine can rely on us," Scholz said at a joint press conference.
Referring to a phone call between Trump and Putin regarding a ceasefire in the energy and infrastructure sectors, Scholz described it as "a first important step" but stressed the need for a full ceasefire as soon as possible.
Macron echoed this sentiment, affirming Europe's continued support for Ukraine to ensure a stable and lasting resolution. He welcomed the Trump-Putin discussions as "moving in the right direction."
According to Macron, France, Britain, and Germany have played a constructive role in persuading Zelensky to accept a proposed 30-day ceasefire.
"The first steps are in place, but our goal remains unchanged - to establish a fully respected, measurable, and verifiable ceasefire and launch peace talks that bring solid and lasting peace with guarantees," Macron said, emphasizing that Ukraine must be directly involved in all negotiations.
