Zelensky Names Three Areas Discussed In New York For Moving Toward Ceasefire

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Zelensky made the statement to journalists in New York on Wednesday evening, according to Ukrinform's correspondent.

According to him, the first possible avenue was an energy ceasefire. Zelensky said that Ukraine was ready to refrain from striking each side's energy infrastructure.

The second avenue was a ceasefire at sea, particularly concerning grain exports. Zelensky explained that it could be described as either a grain ceasefire or a maritime ceasefire because maritime trade involved not only grain and agricultural products but also energy, metallurgy and other goods.

According to the president, the parties to the war and the United States were not the only ones interested in such a format; other countries, including Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and India, were also interested.

Read also: Russians strike Kyiv with ballistic missiles, US has ability to respond strongly - Zelensky

The third avenue, Zelensky said, was a trilateral negotiating format proposed by the United States. However, he noted that Ukraine had so far seen no indication that Putin wanted such a meeting. At the same time, he said that the possibility of meetings at the technical level was being discussed.

Zelensky explained that the two sides were discussing whether their groups could meet in a trilateral format, reach agreements and lay the groundwork for a meeting between the leaders.

The president emphasized that, in parallel, Ukraine had to increase pressure on Russia, including through sanctions, while strengthening its own defense capabilities. He said that stronger pressure had to be applied to Russia either on the battlefield or through appropriate long-range sanctions.

According to Zelensky, if Russia refused to negotiate, Ukraine would seek stronger U.S. sanctions. He stated that if Russia did not agree to negotiations in one format or another, Ukraine would do everything possible to persuade the United States and President Trump to strengthen the sanctions.

He also said that, following three waves of the Russian attack that day, he had spoken several times with Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatyi and Air Force Commander Anatolii Kryvonozhko.

According to Zelensky, 60% of the ballistic missiles targeting Kyiv on Wednesday had been shot down. He said that this was important, although he would have liked more missiles to be intercepted. He noted that the figure was not ten percent or zero, as there had been occasions earlier that year when none had been shot down. He attributed the limited interception rate to an insufficient number of interceptor missiles.

He also said that Ukraine was working to obtain additional ballistic-missile interceptors, including through direct contacts at the highest level. Zelensky explained that no one was discussing hundreds or thousands of interceptors and that the required number was being collected one or two missiles at a time, making it a very difficult process. He added that he had reached certain agreements with one country, although he did not identify it.

Read also: Zelensky at UN General Assembly: Putin pays with 248 lives for every kilometer seized in Ukraine

Zelensky also emphasized that U.S. President Donald Trump had once again confirmed his readiness to provide Ukraine with licenses to manufacture missiles for Patriot systems. According to Zelensky, Trump had confirmed that the necessary licenses would be provided and that Ukraine would be able to manufacture Patriot missiles.

At the same time, Zelensky emphasized that establishing such production would take time, so Ukraine is looking for other solutions to strengthen its air defenses ahead of the coming winter.

As Ukrinform reported, on Tuesday, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Zelensky held talks with Trump.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

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