Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his disappointment over US President Donald Trump's decision to contact Russian President Vladimir Putin before reaching out to Ukraine. Zelenskyy described the call, made late Wednesday, as "not very pleasant," highlighting the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia as a critical issue that should take precedence.

According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy voiced his concerns during a visit to the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant, stating that he has already engaged in three conversations with Trump. Despite this, he felt sidelined by Trump's initial outreach to Putin. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of prioritizing Ukraine due to the current war situation.

Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine will not participate in peace talks without Kyiv's involvement and has clearly communicated this stance to international partners. He also clarified that Ukrainian elections were not part of his discussions with Trump and underlined the necessity of European involvement in peace negotiations.

"Europe is seriously concerned about not being included in the discussions," Zelenskyy remarked, stressing the need for a comprehensive negotiation format that includes the US, Ukraine, Russia, and European nations. He acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the future of these negotiations but emphasized the need for strong and fair partnerships.

Zelenskyy concluded by highlighting the importance of alliances as Ukraine seeks to conclude the active phase of the conflict. The call between Putin and Trump, their first since Trump's inauguration last month, covered significant global and bilateral topics, as reported by the Kremlin and the White House.