Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Russia's demand to maintain 'neutral status for Ukraine' on the 20th (local time), saying, 'That is not a proposal for peace but an ultimatum.'
During a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo, Norway, Zelensky was asked if he was still willing to discuss maintaining neutral status, which implies a ban on NATO membership. He responded, 'I have never said that I am ready to discuss neutrality even once.'
He also noted that just before the full-scale invasion, Russia demanded a significant reduction of the Ukrainian military and the maintenance of neutral status, stating, 'That means not joining any block for Ukraine.'
Zelensky answered a question regarding the 'ownership' of Ukraine's nuclear power plants by saying, 'All nuclear plants belong to Ukrainians,' adding, 'I have not discussed ownership with the U.S. side.' Earlier, President Trump mentioned after a phone currency with Zelensky on the 19th that 'the U.S. can be of great help in operating nuclear power plants based on power and utility expertise.' Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others also said, 'U.S. ownership of Ukrainian nuclear plants is the best way to protect Ukraine's infrastructure and support energy infrastructure.'
Zelensky participated virtually in the European Union (EU) summit held in Brussels, Belgium, on the same day, and shared details regarding his phone currency with President Trump and the progress of discussions related to a partial ceasefire, according to EU authorities.
He criticized, 'Yesterday evening (the 19th), Russia attacked our energy infrastructure again,' adding, 'Although Putin claimed he was ready to stop such attacks, nothing has changed.'