Zelenskyy rejects Russia's peace proposal, calls for face-to-face talks with Putin

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(4 Jun 2025) RESTRICTIONS SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Kyiv - 4 June 2025 1. Mid Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy entering the room 2. SOUNDBITE (Russian/Ukrainian) Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine: "International legal recognition of membership of the Russian Federation of Crimea, LNR (Lugansk People's Republic), DNR (Donetsk Peope'sl Republic), Zaporizhzhia, Kherson regions. Full withdrawal from these territories units of Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations of Ukraine. ++SWITCHES TO UKRAINIAN LANGUAGE++That is, the first point (of Russian memorandum) is the most ultimate, it contradicts the Statute of the Organization of the United Nations, is contrary to common sense, contrary to the Constitution of Ukraine. They know about it, by the way. At once it is a requirement and the greatest reward for Putin for this war. And as I have already said, Putin said that Trump will be doable. But everyone understands that this is definitely not doable. Even if they want it, it is not doable." ++BLACK FRAMES++ 3. SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine: "They (Russians) are not ready for a ceasefire — at least not at the level of the current delegations. They believe this is an issue for the leaders to decide. They told us directly: ‘The ceasefire is a matter for a different level.’ We are proposing Russians— and I believe our partners could support us — a ceasefire before a leaders’ summit. My personal position is this: first, we are ready for a meeting immediately. To avoid insinuations the location is up to the Russians — Istanbul, the Vatican, Switzerland — all of these are options. We are proposing to meet any day starting Monday." ++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++ STORYLINE: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that Russia’s proposal for ending the countries’ three-year war “is not doable” and repeated his call for face-to-face talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Russia on Monday presented Ukraine with a “memorandum” setting out its conditions for a ceasefire, as well as key guidelines for a comprehensive treaty to end the conflict, in their second round of direct peace talks in just over two weeks. It included demands that Ukraine has previously said are nonstarters. “It is not doable,” Zelenskyy said of the memorandum. He called for a truce with Russia ahead of a possible summit meeting with Putin, possibly also including U.S. President Donald Trump, in an effort to remove obstacles to a peace settlement. The U.S. has led a recent diplomatic push to stop the war. “We are proposing … a ceasefire before a leaders’ summit,” Zelenskyy told a press briefing in Kyiv. Ukraine is ready to meet at any time from next Monday at a venue such as Istanbul, the Vatican or Switzerland, Zelenskyy said. A second round of peace talks on Monday between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul lasted just over an hour and made no progress on ending the war. They agreed only to swap thousands of their dead and seriously wounded troops. Also, a new prisoner exchange with Russia could take place on June 7 and 8, Zelenskyy said. AP video by Alex Babnko =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/dbe72817d2524b12be524e8b1ad2d323