WATCH: 'We need a ceasefire' in Russian war before land occupation discussions, Zelenskyy says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine is “the most important first step” before any discussion about territory.

Zelenskyy told PBS News White House correspondent Liz Landers that the subject of territory was a “very sensitive” and “difficult” question.

Russia wants “to occupy everything, but now they want before any kind of ceasefire, make a deal about land, about our territories,” he said. “First, we need a ceasefire. So we need to sit and speak and to understand where we are. I think this is the most important first step.”

He later added that he thinks Trump “understands that the most difficult questions – in any kind of negotiations, in any format of negotiation – will be the territory.”

Trump and Zelenskyy met for several hours Friday at the White House, one day after Trump spoke with Putin over the phone.

Zelenskyy’s comments to reporters came right as President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social account that both the Ukrainian leader and Russian President Vladimir Putin need to “make a deal” to end the war.

“Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts,” Trump said. “They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide!”

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