Telephone contact with Donald Trump had today (16.05.2025) the Volodimir Zelenskialong with other European leaders who participated in the European Political Community Summit in Tirana.
After completing the peace talks held by Russia and Ukraine delegations in Constantinople, Volodimir Zelenski contacted Donald Trump by phone.
Ukrainian president stressed to his American counterpart that Ukraine is “ready to take the fastest strong steps to bring real peace and it is important for people to keep a strong attitude [απέναντι στην Πούτιν]».
Spoke with @POTUS together with President Macron, Federal Chancellor Merz, Prime Ministers Starmer and Tusk. We discussed the meeting in Istanbul.
Ukraine is ready to take the fastest possible steps to bring real peace, and it is important that the world holds a strong stance.… pic.twitter.com/CG3pAnN5Ip
– Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Volodymyr Zelenskyy (@zelenskyyua) May 16, 2025
The Ukrainian president added that his country’s “position” is that they must follow “harsh »sanctions if Russia rejects a ‘complete and conditional ceasefire’.
The leaders of French Emmanuel Macron, Germany Friedrich Mertz, Britain Kir Starmer, Poland Donald Tusk were present in Zelenski’s telephone conversation with Trump, according to a spokesman for the Ukrainian Presidency, Sergi.
The French president, for his part, estimated that Russia “does not want” to conclude a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine and that it should be exerted “increased pressure” to be convinced.
Earlier, Zelenski had stated that International Community “must answer” in Russia If the peace talks prove to be just a “theater” meaning it was a hypocrisy to create impressions.
He also added: “We need a definitive end to bloodshed for some time to give diplomacy a real opportunity. Our first priority is a complete, unconditional and honest ceasefire. “
Still, he stressed that Vladimir Putin was scared to meet him for direct conversations in Istanbul.