Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Credit: Reuters Photo
Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that the only Russian official he was prepared to talk to was President Vladimir Putin, and that he would only do so once Ukraine had agreed on a common plan with US President Donald Trump and European leaders.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Zelenskyy said Trump had given him his personal phone number and had told him that he could call any time he wanted.
"I will meet with only one Russian guy, with Putin, only after we will have common plan with Trump, Europe. And we will sit with Putin and stop the war. Only in this case I am ready to meet," Zelenskyy said in English.
On the subject of his relationship with Trump, who had his first conversation with Zelenskiy since assuming office on Wednesday, Zelenskiy said the U.S. president offered him his personal number.
"It was funny… He said 'you can call me anytime you want', I said to him yes, thank you so much. But previous time you said me that you can call me directly anytime and did not give me your phone number.
"He said – OK, right, you can call anytime."