(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed readiness to hold peace negotiations with Russia but emphasized that discussions can only begin once a ceasefire is established along the existing front lines.

During his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday, Zelenskyy voiced support for Trump’s proposal that both sides “stop where they are.” In an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press aired on Sunday, he reiterated this stance, saying, “Yes, I agree. If we want to stop this war and to go to peace negotiations, urgently and in a diplomatic way, we need to stay where we stay.” He stressed, however, that Kyiv would not give up “additional” territory to Russia.

Zelenskyy stated that he was prepared for peace talks “in any format, bilateral, trilateral,” but only once active hostilities have ceased. “Not under missiles, not under drones,” he added.

When asked about potentially attending Trump’s proposed peace summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, Zelenskyy responded, “I’m ready.”

The Ukrainian leader also confirmed that Trump had so far declined to supply Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Moscow, meanwhile, has outlined its own conditions for a truce. Russia insists that Ukrainian forces must withdraw from territories it considers its own, end mobilization efforts, and stop receiving foreign military assistance. The Kremlin has also demanded that Ukraine recognize Russia’s new borders and abandon its NATO ambitions.

President Putin has said he is willing to meet with Zelenskyy, but only once a finalized peace treaty is ready for signing.

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