President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said it is "not fair" that US President Donald Trump continues to publicly call on Ukraine, rather than Russia, to make concessions for the sake of peace.
Details: Zelenskyy argued that, although it may be easier for Trump to put pressure on Ukraine than on Russia, a path to a lasting peace cannot be built by effectively giving victory to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Trump has in recent days twice said that the responsibility for making concessions lies with Zelenskyy.
Details: Zelenskyy also thanked Trump for his peace efforts and said that his discussions with US negotiators – Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner – do not involve the kind of pressure Trump uses publicly.
"We respect each other," Zelenskyy said, adding that he is "not such a person" who easily gives in to pressure.
He believes the sides largely agreed on a US-led mechanism to monitor a ceasefire using drones, if one is reached.
The groups will continue their work on the morning of 18 February, with statements from the sides expected afterwards. »