Only on equal terms: Zelensky said he is ready for direct talks with Putin, despite America's expectations

3 June 2026 in Kyiv, at a meeting and a joint press conference of President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, a number of statements were made about strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, supplying interceptor missiles for the Patriot systems, possible negotiations with Putin, and prospects for Ukraine joining NATO. One of the key topics was interceptor missiles PAC-2 and PAC-3 for Patriot systems, which remain critically important for protecting Ukrainian cities from Russian ballistic strikes.

Mark Rutte said that deliveries of such interceptors from the United States to Ukraine are continuing regularly:

“The good news is that deliveries of these key interceptors continue from the United States to Ukraine every day and every week,” – Rutte.

Volodymyr Zelensky, for his part, reported that Ukraine is in talks with the current US administration about licenses for the Patriot:

“We are talking with the current administration about Patriot licenses so that they can be produced in Ukraine or together with NATO partners.” – Zelensky.

The president also drew attention to the fact that US focus is currently largely on the situation around Iran:

“Unfortunately, we are not in focus today. Iran is the number one issue for the United States, and then Ukraine,” – Zelensky.

Also, Volodymyr Zelensky stated his readiness for direct talks with Putin if this is necessary to end the war. At the same time he emphasized that Ukraine must speak not from a position of weakness, but as a state that continues to fight and inflict significant losses on the enemy.

“I am ready for direct talks with Putin to end this war,” – the President of Ukraine. 

According to the president, the current situation at the front and Ukrainian strikes on RF territory allow Ukraine to conduct any diplomatic process on equal terms with the Russians.

“The situation at the front and Ukrainian strikes on RF territory allow today to finish this war on equal terms with the Russians in any format of diplomacy.”

Another striking thesis from Zelensky concerned Ukraine‘s membership in NATO. The president said that in the future it might even be more advantageous for the Russians that Ukraine is in the Alliance rather than remaining outside it.

“I believe that the Russians also need Ukraine to be in NATO. Because in the future it may hurt the Russians if Ukraine is not in NATO,” – Volodymyr Zelensky. 

These statements came against the backdrop of ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and a shortage of air defense means. For Ukraine, the Patriot question remains one of the key ones, since these systems are capable of intercepting some of the ballistic missiles that Russia uses to strike civilian infrastructure, the energy sector, and residential areas.

In fact, Kyiv is working in two directions in parallel: seeking stable supplies of interceptors from partners and trying to obtain permission for its own or joint production of such missiles. This should reduce Ukraine‘s dependence on allied political decisions and the global shortage of weapons.

Previously, we wrote:

• Against the backdrop of a missile shortage, Ukraine receives €4 billion and 36 IRIS-T from Berlin
• Zelensky: Russia is cutting missile production and betting on strike drones
• Ballistics were not stopped: Russia struck Ukraine with missiles and hundreds of drones
• Zelensky: the war may last until summer 2026, because Russia will not feel the blow of sanctions for a long time
• Tanks, drones, F-16s and billions: full charge at “Ramstein”