Ukraine to Choose Europe’s Representative in Russia Talks

Ukraine will decide who represents Europe in any negotiations with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Ukrainian media.

Kyiv is seeking to revive diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s more than four-year war by involving European partners. US-backed negotiations have stalled, while Ukraine has refused Russian demands to cede territory. Zelensky said the issue had been discussed at the recent European Council summit more than ever before. “Europe will consider the format and propose several options, but Ukraine will decide who represents Europe in the negotiations. That is fair”, he said.

The Ukrainian president also said that, for the first time, the United States had responded positively to Ukraine’s request for licenses to produce Patriot air defense missiles locally, with President Donald Trump planning to ask American defense contractors to establish licensed production in Europe and Ukraine.

According to Kyiv, Patriot systems are the only effective weapon for downing Russian ballistic missiles. The war in Iran revealed a global shortage of the interceptors.

(Reuters, bak)