President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed details of his plan to end the war and the results of negotiations with Donald Trump.

Zelensky emphasized that a legitimate end to the conflict requires holding an all-Ukrainian referendum, for which a “period of silence” (i.e., a ceasefire) of at least two months is necessary.

He affirmed that if Russia refuses diplomacy, the US will continue to support Ukraine. Zelensky shared his thoughts while speaking with journalists on his way back to Ukraine from the US.

What happens if Russia continues the war – What is Plan B?

Answering a question regarding US readiness to act in case the Kremlin violates agreements, Zelensky focused on the unity of Kyiv and Washington’s positions. Zelensky stated:

“We and the Americans believe—and here we have a single, unified position—that the war must be ended diplomatically, to pressure Russia, otherwise the war will continue. Undoubtedly, if the war continues, the Americans, together with the Europeans, will continue to help Ukraine, because we are defending ourselves in this war, we are fighting, we are not the aggressors.”

Zelensky emphasized that it is the aggressor state that is now in a situation where it needs to review its strategy, not Ukraine, which has sought peace from the beginning. “And therefore, in my view, Russia should already be thinking about Plan B. Specifically about ending the war,” the President summarized.

Condition for a referendum in Ukraine – 60 days of silence needed

Zelensky sees a national referendum as a key element for approving the peace plan (the “20 points”). However, holding it is currently blocked by Moscow’s position. The President explained that a referendum requires safe infrastructure and a complete cessation of fire.

“The Russians do not want to give us a ceasefire just for as many days as needed to conduct a referendum. For us, this is 60 days; we understand that at least 60 days are needed,” Zelensky noted. According to him, Russia is trying to continue the pressure through war, missiles, and artillery, so the struggle for security conditions continues.

Working groups between the Kremlin and the White House: details

Commenting on media reports about the creation of working groups between the Kremlin and the White House, Zelensky noted that Ukraine already has established mechanisms:

• Bilateral (Ukraine-US): The group is already working and has results.
• Trilateral group (Ukraine-US-Europe): A meeting has already taken place in Berlin.
• Quadrilateral group: If the process moves toward the signing of the plan by four parties (Ukraine, Europe, US, Russia), the creation of a corresponding technical group will be required.

Zelensky also confirmed readiness for a meeting at the leader level in a trilateral format (Ukraine-US-Russia) or phone conversations, if this brings the end of the war closer.

Zelensky’s negotiations with Trump: “Prosperity Package” and free trade

Answering a question from a Japanese broadcaster, Zelensky specified the agreements reached during the meeting with Trump:

“The US President confirmed the provision of strong security guarantees and agreed that they would be voted on in Congress. A large-scale economic recovery package for Ukraine has been agreed upon. It envisions the entry of American businesses, special conditions for development, and the drafting of a free trade agreement with the US.”

Zelensky also confirmed the participation of partners (specifically Canada, Japan, and European countries) in providing guarantees and ensuring their presence.

Zelensky also thanked the government and people of Japan for their support and announced a conversation with the Prime Minister of Japan in the near future to inform him about the details of the negotiations.

Donbas and the “Free Economic Zone”: What Zelensky says

Answering whether a specific concept for a free economic zone for Donbas was discussed at the meetings, Zelensky noted that no finalized document currently exists.

“There is no detailed concept of a free economic zone yet. I have already spoken about this. When it exists, we will definitely discuss it with [the public],” the President said.

Commenting on rumors about demands for the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the territory of Donbas, Zelensky called such Russian aspirations old but hopeless:

“As for the withdrawal from Donbas… Look, it’s not news that Russia wants this. In their ‘rusty dreams,’ they want us not to exist on the territory of our country at all. These dreams are not just one year old.

“But we have our own land, our own territorial integrity, our own state, and our own interests. We will act in accordance with the interests of Ukraine.”

Formula of reliability: ratifying votes in Congress

Journalists raised questions on the reliability of security guarantees from the US, given current discussions about a possible reduction of the American presence in Europe. Zelensky expounded on the conditions under which these agreements would become effective with them enshrined under the rule of law.

Zelensky’s position is that the guarantee of reliability is not just the word of the US President, as happened with the Clinton promise in the never-ratified Budapest Memorandum, but the legal consolidation of agreements by the legislative body.

“I believe this: if a security guarantee for Ukraine is supported by the US President, and if this guarantee is supported legally—specifically voted on in the US Congress—then I believe in such guarantees,” Zelensky stated.

He said a similar mechanism should be applied to European partners from the “Coalition of the Willing,” whose obligations must also be ratified by the national legislatures of the respective countries, stating that only with such an approach will the guarantees be effective.

EU Membership — a mandatory part of security

Separately, Zelensky dwelt on the issue of European integration. He confirmed that Ukraine’s accession to the European Union is part of the global negotiations with both Trump and European leaders.

“For Ukraine—and everyone recognizes this—this is a mandatory part of security guarantees,” Zelensky concluded, emphasizing the inextricable link between the security architecture and EU membership.

The Kremlin double game: What Zelensky told Trump

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky expressed frank skepticism regarding the sincerity of Vladimir Putin’s intentions to end the war, pointing to the striking discrepancy between his words in conversations with Donald Trump and his real actions on the front.

Zelensky announced an intensive schedule of negotiations: advisors to the leaders of partner countries will gather in Kyiv in the coming days. Commenting on the likelihood of personal negotiations with Putin and their possible format, the Zelensky called Russia’s current behavior “strange.”

Zelensky emphasized that he directly pointed out the hypocrisy of the Kremlin to the Trump.

“On one hand, he [Putin] tells the US President that he wants to end the war and that this is his desire. And on the other hand, he communicates openly in the media all the messages that he is ready and wants to continue the war, strikes us with missiles, speaks openly about this, rejoices at the results of the destruction of civilian infrastructure, gives some orders to his generals on where to go, what to capture, etc.,” Zelensky explained.

Zelensky said these aggressive actions absolutely do not coincide with the “peace vocabulary” that Putin uses in private dialogue with Trump.

Despite this, Ukraine’s position remains unchanged: Kyiv is ready for conversation.

“How to meet, in what format to negotiate – we don’t care, we are ready. It is important that the actions and words of Russia’s leader match,” Zelensky said.

Peace negotiations: What meetings are planned next

Zelensky also revealed details of agreements with Trump regarding the next steps in the negotiation process. After the personal meeting and a subsequent phone call from Trump, a plan of action was agreed upon. The very first step will take place very soon.

“I told him [Trump], and we agreed, that all our advisors will come to Kyiv. We will gather everyone now. In the coming days. Not weeks, but the coming days. We need to move quickly,” Zelensky said. The next step will be a major meeting in Europe. The goal is to unite all partners and coordinate positions before the final stage.

“We will try to unite everyone somewhere in Europe, to gather everyone. It is important that everyone is in context. Everyone who is a partner, everyone who helps,” Zelensky said. The finale of the diplomatic marathon is to be a summit in the United States.

Zelensky concluded: “And after that, we will do everything to have a constructive meeting in the US at the level of leaders and the US President.”

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