Zelensky spoke about new negotiations with the USA in Saudi Arabia and commented on the 'transfer of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant'.

Ukrainian and US technical teams will meet in Saudi Arabia

It was announced that on March 24, technical teams from Ukraine and the United States will hold a meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss the cessation of attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure. This was reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a press conference in Oslo with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

'From what we discussed with President Trump, the essence is as follows: a ceasefire regarding the security of the energy systems of both countries... I brought this issue up with President Trump and said that our side will prepare civil infrastructure facilities,' Zelensky noted.

The President clarified the format of future negotiations: 'Our technical teams will be there; as I understand it, the structure will be such that there will be a meeting between Ukraine and America. And then America will meet with Russia. Or there will be parallel meetings in one country on one topic.'

Position on Crimea and nuclear energy

Zelensky denied the information about the possible recognition of Crimea as Russian territory within the framework of peace negotiations. 'Trump did not raise this issue with me. We talked about Crimea with him back in September in New York. He was interested in why Ukrainians love Crimea so much, as he heard this,' the President emphasized.

The President denied discussing the transfer of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant or other Ukrainian nuclear power plants to the ownership of the USA with Trump.

'I told him that if it is not Ukrainian, it will not work for anyone. It is illegal. It cannot operate. And we cannot just manage this plant, because it is state-owned,' Zelensky explained, adding that Ukraine is open to discussing investments in Ukrainian nuclear power plants and their modernization.

Call for pressure on Russia

The President emphasized the need to increase international pressure on the Russian Federation to achieve real steps towards peace.

'Continued pressure on Russia is needed so that Putin ceases to manipulate and takes specific steps that the whole world wants. In particular, one of the first such steps should be silence. Right now, we are talking with the USA and other partners that this silence in the sky could mean ceasing strikes on energy, ceasing strikes on people, on civilian infrastructure, and a ceasefire at sea,' Zelensky emphasized.

The Ukrainian leader focused on the importance of returning prisoners of war and civilians, including children, seized by Russia. According to him, 'these are important steps in diplomacy, and we are counting a lot on the diplomacy that will pressure Russia.'

'Everyone saw that Ukraine is undoubtedly ready for this, and we are waiting for when the aggressor agrees to it,' the President summarized.