Trump: I stand in the middle between Zelensky and Putin.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he will act as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia during peace negotiations.

This announcement was made during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 28, which was broadcasted live.

A journalist asked the American president whether he would serve as a mediator in the talks or take Ukraine's side. Trump replied that he would position himself between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

“They [Zelensky and Putin] do not like each other, I can tell you that. Such a meeting cannot be amicable. The circumstances have developed this way”, emphasized the American president.

Trump noted that previously the U.S. was led by an “incompetent team,” but he has stopped “a lot of wars.”

Zelensky interrupted Trump, pointing out that “no one desires peace more than the Ukrainians.”

“This is not a war between Russia and the U.S. This is a war of Russia against the Ukrainian people. These two sides must meet and sit at the negotiating table, and then the U.S., as Ukraine's strongest partner, can join in. Europe must be there too”, Zelensky explained.

Recall that earlier Trump stated that he believes Putin will “keep his word” and will not attack again after reaching a peace agreement with Ukraine.

The U.S. president also dismissed the idea that Ukraine could join NATO as a result of the peace agreement but assured that Washington would try to return as much territory to Ukraine as possible.

Meanwhile, Zelensky emphasized that there will be no ceasefire without security guarantees for Ukraine.