Volodymyr Zelensky (00:34):
Dear journalists, dear people of Norway, thank you for hosting all of us today and for helping us help our people, first of all. Norway is one of the countries doing the most really to help us protect lives and keep people safe. Thank you very much for all these years. And thank you dear Alex for your constant support and for all the work we do together to better protect lives and ensure security for Ukraine and all of Europe. We really appreciate everyone who is doing their best to help us. And today we have important talks with our American partners and with other partners from Europe. Yes, and today Steve Witkoff is also here with us in Oslo, and Jared Kushner joined us online as Jonas already said, and it's important that we keep talking at all levels and work together on the decisions needed to end this war.
(01:42)
And our European partners were also very active in this work. And today security advisors from European countries will join us too. And this morning I had a good conversation with Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State. I really appreciate his willingness to help and his efforts to find solutions to all the issues we face. First, Ukraine wants peace more than anyone, and it was Russia who started this war and the decision to keep the killing going is Russia's choice and Russia's alone. Second, Ukraine immediately supported American proposal for an energy ceasefire, but Russia responded by continuing its attacks and we offered different options. We are ready not to hit sensitive parts of Russia's energy sector if Russia stops hitting us, ours. Putin said no, but we are working to find a solution. Third, we have some clear ideas on how to get to peace and we are united with our European partners in this effort and we want the Americans to take these ideas to the Russians.
(03:00)
And one of the important ideas is to move to a potential trilateral meeting of the leaders to address the issue that only the leaders can do. Steve is going to Russia tomorrow and let's see what Putin has to say and thank you to everyone who stands with Ukraine and stands for peace. Thank you dear partners, dear friends. Slava Ukraini.
Jonas Gahr Støre (03:27):
President.
Alexander Stubb (03:28):
So thank you Volodymyr and also thank you to Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and our European partners for the efforts that they have done in the past year and a half or so to find a lasting and just peace for Ukraine. The job of Jonas and I is to support Ukraine as we best can. I think we made genuine progress today really on two levels. The one is the big picture, the second one is the short term. In the big picture, we found some elements of peace which will be taken forward to St. Petersburg tomorrow. We discussed and found key elements on security and we discussed and found key elements on the economy. And all of these proposals have been worked at very hard by the Americans, the Ukrainians, and key European players. But in the short term, we also discussed key issues such as air defense, energy installations and partial ceasefires, including those on energy and food security.
(04:44)
As was mentioned by Volodymyr and Jonas Steve Witkoff will go to St. Petersburg tomorrow with proposals based on the discussions that the Americans, the Ukrainians and the Europeans had in Miami. And we fully understand that there has been a lot of noise in the public space, but on a technical level, we feel that the negotiations are actually advancing quite well. I feel that we are on the same page and the next steps are about how do we get there. In my experience, peace requires patience, but unfortunately war does not wait. People are dying every and each day. Our job is to do what we can to end it. And I think today was a step in the right direction. Thank you very much.
Moderator (05:39):
Now we'll open up for questions. And the first question comes from the Norwegian News Agency, Peter Talos.
Peter Talos (05:45):
Yes. I have a question for all three of you. First President Zelensky, what promises did you give to Witkoff to say to Putin during his meeting tomorrow? And are you losing the war now?
Volodymyr Zelensky (06:01):
I what?
Peter Talos (06:02):
Are you losing the war? And for the two of you, other countries-
Moderator (06:07):
It's one question each Peter.
Peter Talos (06:08):
Yeah. Just to clarify, what are your analysis on after the talks today?
Volodymyr Zelensky (06:16):
Thanks so much. As my partner said already, our teams had conversations in Miami. Then we've got it, we've got feedback after this conversation. Now we shared some issues from those meeting and we spoke about security guarantees. We spoke about different sensitive points. Yes, our position, if we speak about territories, everybody know that such sensitive issues have to discuss on the high level. Also, we spoke about very important things, what will be after this war, when it will end. Of course, we want to push as quick as possible to end this war. And after the war, we speak about reconstruction of our country, a lot of different issues.
(07:05)
So we are ready for negotiations. And as Alex said, it's important for us to show any kind of deescalation. That's why there are kind of propositions of different formats of ceasefire. And about losing the war, of course we are not losing this war, but we are losing people. And because Russia attacks, we're losing people and time. And it's so pity because our children don't have real life, childhood and all the people to be honest. That's why we need to end this war as quick as possible. I hope that our partners, Americans and Europeans will help us. And God bless and our strong soldiers, they stay strong on the battlefield. It helps me be strong during any kind of negotiations. Thank you.
Moderator (08:08):
The next question comes from Terhi Width, Helsinki Sanomat.
Terhi Width (08:16):
President Zelensky, after today's meetings, what is your confidence level on the US and President Trump?
Volodymyr Zelensky (08:26):
As I said, we began early in the morning on the way to Oslo. In the train, I had a conversation with Secretary Rubio. We spoke about sensitive issues like connection, Starlink, about interceptors, which are very important, about intelligence. So we've been very concrete and the conversation was very positive. We shared the things which we have to manage and we will manage, I'm sure. And we decided that maybe in 48 hours we will have again connection. Thanks so much.
Moderator (09:10):
The next questions come from Olena Cherniakova from Ukrainian 1+1 Television.
Olena Cherniakova (09:16):
Thanks for possibility. My first question also for the president of Ukraine. President Zelensky, could you tell us what proposals you presented to the US side today regarding the peace plan and did you manage to get guarantees from the invoice or Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the issue is interceptor missiles, intelligence and of course Starlinks will be resolved in the coming days? It's for your question and I have one more question for both leader. Can Europe negotiate with Russia without the United States? And maybe you're ready to lead this process. And one small question for all of you. Where is Mr. Witkoff? Why he did not join the press conference? Thank you so much.
Jonas Gahr Støre (10:06):
Well, let me start. This is a press conference among political leaders. I think that is the answer. We believe that we have to make real efforts on these issues and we don't start on zero. And as the president has said, there has been important work done. And the question is now to take that forward. I believe that there needs to be a discussion on European security order, that Europe needs to be at the table, that there has been a weakness that Europe has not been enough central to this, but to succeed, to achieve a last and fair peace, we need an equation of US, Ukraine, Russia and Europe and basically also other key countries because this is a war with huge ramifications.
(11:08)
So I'm working in this spirit and have the patience to cope with the issues that arise. And I think President Stubb and I, we do not speak here on behalf of Europe. We speak on behalf of our two countries, neighboring countries. And the President Zelensky asked us to host this meeting and we've been happy to do so. And now we will meet with European colleagues. But I really believe that this conflict is in Europe. Europe will live with the consequences and that's why we need to see the more unified Europe also at the table.
Alexander Stubb (11:41):
So Jonas and I work very much in the back office as Europeans and as strong and avid supporters of Ukraine. So what we try to do is to facilitate the dialogue between obviously the United States and Ukraine and also to a certain extent between Ukraine and Russia. So we want to gain confidence on both sides and we do that in a very constructive manner, but at the same time, very principled manner because we believe in international law. And we also do it based on self-interests. We share a border with Russia. For us, it's 1,340 kilometers. For you it's?
Jonas Gahr Støre (12:25):
200.
Alexander Stubb (12:25):
200. So we have had our history with Russia and we believe that it is better to talk than not to talk. And that's why we're involved now in trying to support and help Ukraine. And we'll see what happens after tomorrow in St. Petersburg. It's very important that the American negotiators stay and President Trump stays engaged.
Moderator (12:51):
The next question comes from... I'm sorry.
Volodymyr Zelensky (12:53):
It's okay.
Moderator (12:53):
Sorry.
Volodymyr Zelensky (12:56):
Sorry. So first of all, we really discussed security guarantees and I'm thankful to American side that they underlined again that it will be strong. Yes. And we have different propositions and we spoke about that NATO and Article 5 and Article 5-like, there are different kinds of security guarantees which are in the paper, yes, in the document and which Steve will share with the Russians and we will hear his feedback in one day after. So this is very important what we need. We need strong security guarantees after this war will end. And about the issues, what I really mentioned already. So we are thankful that intelligence works. Now I'm speaking about early warning, what is very important for our people, for children, adults, civilians, because we can hear when ballistic is coming. So we are thankful to American side. Now it works. It's great. Then as I said, we also discussed with secretary, not only intelligence, we discussed Starlinks and Patriot and he will come back and I think that we will have good result. Thank you.
Moderator (14:17):
The next question comes from the Norwegian Broadcasting, [inaudible 00:14:20].
Speaker 8 (14:22):
President Zelensky, Trump says he doesn't want to push Putin too hard, afraid that Russia could increase its support for Iran. Do you think Putin is using Iran as a leverage over Trump?
Volodymyr Zelensky (14:43):
I don't know really. I think that Putin helps Iranians and helped because we saw different details from the drones which Russia delivered to Iran. And I think also they shared with them intelligence from satellites and other information. This is what we know. I don't know too much. Yes, but I know that Russia stays on the side of Iranians and that's why I think that they are supportive.
Alexander Stubb (15:25):
I think there's also quite a clear example of Ukrainians or Ukraine supporting the Gulf States and US allies in the Middle East from Iranian missile and drone attacks because they are the country in Europe right now that understands and has experience of modern warfare. So therefore there are quite clear interlinkages here, which we're all working at and trying to find solutions for.
Moderator (15:55):
And the next questions come from Peter Bacon, New York Times.
Peter Bacon (16:07):
Thank you very much. President Zelensky, you said the other day that to you it looked like the United States was trying to pressure Ukraine to capitulate. Does today's meeting change your view of that? Did Witkoff reassure you or are you still worried that that's what the United States is trying to do here? And when you talk about a meeting between three leaders, what Putin and Trump are talking about is a meeting between President Trump, President Putin, and President Xi to discuss the Ukraine war. Is that acceptable or legitimate in your mind? And to the prime minister and president, you each said that supporting Ukraine is your top goal. Do you believe that that's the United States' top goal right now or in the last 10 days, do you believe the United States has shown that it's shifting sides and favoring Moscow?
Volodymyr Zelensky (16:53):
Thank you very much. So first of all, I spoke about trilateral meeting on the level of leaders, United States, Ukraine and Russia. And nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine, as my partner's already said. So I don't know what about trilateral meeting will be between America, China and Russia. It's up to them. But of course if the issue's about Ukraine, our future, it can be acceptable only when we are at the table of negotiations. It's absolutely clear. And as I said, that really today's morning began from positive signals from American side, as I said, after our phone call with secretary and also now we have very constructive dialogue, but it was very constructive between us because all of us want peace, Ukraine, Europe, United States, and we will see what will be tomorrow.
Jonas Gahr Støre (17:49):
I'm happy that we were able to get together today to straighten out a few things and to agree that what matters now is to look ahead. And there is nothing to gain from digging into what was said yesterday or a week ago. We now really have to be focused on what lies ahead. And I would salute the contribution made by, especially by Alex, my colleague. We worked as foreign ministers some 15 years ago and we really dealt with Russia. So we have not only we are bordering countries, but we've been involved in this diplomacy through many different phases. And I also like to salute the fact that Steve Witkoff came here today, spent his whole day, and we had this exchange with President Zelensky's team and the fact that he's going on to Moscow tomorrow, well, we are then on a certain track. But war is unpredictable. It doesn't follow a plan. And that's why from time to time we have to use some cool diplomatic political brains to get our thinking back on track and our planning back on track. And I think we have done some good work on that today.
Alexander Stubb (18:57):
Yeah, I think today was a good day for peace. And I think the top priority of the US administration, President Trump, is to find a peaceful solution to Russia's war aggression in Ukraine. And as I said earlier, I think on a substantive and technical level, we've actually made a lot of progress under the radar in the past week or so. And now I feel that the process is back on track and we'll continue to work on it together with our European friends. The key, of course, will be what kind of messages Steve Witkoff will be able to get from St. Petersburg tomorrow. But I think today was a success and tomorrow is a new day and hopefully we don't do any backtrack.
Moderator (19:42):
On that note, we need to wrap up this press conference. Thank you so much.
Volodymyr Zelensky (19:46):
Thank you so much.
Alexander Stubb (19:46):
Thank you.
Speaker 10 (19:46):
[foreign language 00:20:03]