Zelensky, ahead of US talks, says Russia 'only reason' no peace in Ukraine

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00:00Ukrainian and Saudi flags flying side by side as President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives in Jeddah.

00:06While he won't be at the negotiating table for high-stakes talks on Tuesday aimed at ending

00:10the conflict in Ukraine, Zelensky is on a mission to lay the groundwork for any

00:15peace still ahead of the pivotal meeting. Taking to X on the eve of talks, the Ukrainian

00:20leader said his country has been seeking peace since the very first second of the war,

00:24adding that the only reason it continues is Russia.

00:28The post seemingly a response to those who continue to question whether the war-torn

00:32country actually wants peace. The Kremlin, though, remains unconvinced.

00:37We have heard statements on many different levels that the United States is waiting for

00:42Ukrainians to demonstrate their desire to make peace. Everyone is waiting for this.

00:49Whether the members of the Zelensky regime really want peace or not,

00:53this is of course very important and needs to be determined.

00:57It's difficult to know what kind of evidence Moscow is waiting for,

01:01but Kyiv says it will propose a peace plan aimed at halting drone and missile strikes

01:05as well as a suspension of military activity in the Black Sea.

01:09It will face an uphill battle trying to get Russia to abide.

01:12President Vladimir Putin has so far shown no interest in a ceasefire.

01:17Tuesday, though, will be about the US and Ukraine,

01:19Kyiv's delegation set to meet with US negotiators, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

01:25It's the first official meeting between the two sides since the disastrous Oval Office clash

01:30between Zelensky and Trump almost two weeks ago.

01:33Since then, Washington has moved to suspend military aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine.

01:38Russian forces have seized the moment, launching barrages of ballistic missile attacks while

01:43attempting to surround thousands of Ukrainian troops in the Russian region of Kurz.

01:48The White House insists it wants to achieve a lasting peace,

01:51but Trump has focused primarily on pressuring Zelensky to hand over his country's minerals.

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