By Max Hunder KYIV (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hopes Europe and the United States will be involved in any talks about ending his country's war with Russia, he told reporters on Saturday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said his country’s allies should work towards determining a format for any upcoming peace talks with Russia and that Kyiv must be involved for successful negotiations.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Monday that Ukraine was not yet in a strong position to begin peace talks with Russia ahead of President-elect Trump taking office next week with a pledge to

KYIV - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Jan 25 said allies should work towards determining a format for any upcoming peace talks with Russia and that Kyiv must be involved for successful negotiations.

President Volodymyr Zelensky’s warning came after Putin expressed willingness to engage in talks with Donald Trump on Jan. 24 and praised the U.S. leader.

Only days after U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House, he dialed up the heat on Russia with a threat of sanctions, tariffs, and negotiating "the hard way" if Russian President Vladimir Putin fails to come to the table for a peace deal with Ukraine.

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has accused Vladimir Putin of manipulating Donald Trump's peace efforts. The U.S. President has declared his intention to ensure a peaceful resolution to the war between Moscow and Kyiv,