Zelensky says talks about Ukraine without Kiev unacceptable

KIEV -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that Kiev would not accept any bilateral peace talks without Ukraine's participation, the government-run Ukrinform news agency reported.

"We will not accept any bilateral talks about Ukraine without us," Zelensky told reporters.

He said a meeting in the Ukraine-US format should serve as a starting point for the peace process to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, followed by negotiations with Russia.

Zelensky also underscored the importance of having European partners at the negotiating table.

On Wednesday, Zelensky discussed ways to bring peace to Ukraine in a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump. The talks followed Trump's earlier phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.