Zelenskyy speaks out with new demands following Trump and Putin's call on ceasefire deal
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has spoken out about his demands after Vladimir Putin agreed to a pause in air strikes on energy infrastructure in Ukraine during a call with Donald Trump.
Putin agreed to the 30-day ceasefire in the call which took place on Tuesday (March 18), but just hours later, Zelenskyy shared news that Ukraine had been hit with strikes from Russia, 'specifically on civilian infrastructure'.
The Ukrainian president alleged Russia had launched more than 40 drones towards Ukraine following Putin's call with Trump, saying: "It is these types of night-time attacks by Russia that destroy our energy sector, our infrastructure, and the normal life of Ukrainians. Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire."
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Meanwhile, Russia's defence ministry claimed it had intercepted and destroyed 57 Ukrainian drones overnight.
The actions between the two countries came after Trump posted about the success of his call with Putin on Truth Social, where he described it as 'very good and productive'.
In the wake of the call, Zelenskyy spoke out about what he expected to happen before making any agreements.
In a briefing with journalists, Zelenskyy demanded that he have a conversation with Trump to gain more details on exactly what was said in the call between himself and Putin.
He said: "I think it will be right that we will have a conversation with President Trump and we will know in detail what the Russians offered the Americans or what the Americans offered the Russians.
"After we get details from the American president, from the American side, we will give our answer, prepare it, and our team will be ready for technical discussions."
Trump shared some details of the ceasefire agreement in his post on Truth Social, saying: "We agreed to an immediate Ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine."
"This War would have never started if I were President!" Trump continued. "Many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed, including the fact that thousands of soldiers are being killed, and both President Putin and President Zelenskyy would like to see it end. That process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of Humanity, get the job done!"
The attacks overnight have only increased the urgent need for peace between the countries, with Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, telling Fox News that talks to finalize a deal between Ukraine and Russia would begin on March 23.
He said: "We have some details to work out of course, but that will begin on Sunday in Jeddah, and beyond that we’ll move to a full ceasefire."
Topics: Donald Trump, Russia, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Politics
Emily Brown