Ukraine Asks To Be Involved With Europe In Peace Negotiations With Russia

JAKARTA - Ukraine and Europe should not be excluded from future peace negotiations regarding Ukraine's war.

Foreign Minister Kyiv Andrii Sybiha conveyed the affirmation to the Le Monde newspaper in an interview released on Thursday.

European leaders are trying hard to try to find a place in Ukraine's peace negotiations after US President Donald Trump spoke directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin and announced the start of negotiations.

"There's nothing to talk about about Ukraine without Ukraine, or about Europe without Europe," Sybiha said.

He said Ukraine's membership in NATO remains the cheapest way for transatlantic alliances to ensure the security of their own country, and there should be no compromise that harms regional integrity or Ukraine's sovereignty.

"We want a complete deal. This is in the interest of the United States. With Trump's leadership, with Europe's strong commitment and European unity, we have the opportunity to provide a new impetus for this process. But as far as I know, our American allies have not completed their plans," he continued.

Putin and Trump spoke by phone for more than an hour on Wednesday.

Trump then announced the start of negotiations and said it was impractical for Ukraine to gain NATO membership, something Kyiv is looking for as a security guarantee for his future.

All of our allies say that Ukraine's path to NATO is irreversible. This prospect is in our constitution. This is our strategic interest," said Sybiha.

Trump's move has come as a surprise in European countries, which insisted on playing an important role in peace negotiations as any settlement in Ukraine, hit by a massive Russian invasion three years ago, would have an impact on their own security.