President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukraine will never agree to any peace agreements made without its involvement or behind its back – a clear message directed at US President Donald Trump as he seeks to bring the conflict with Russia to a conclusion.
In his address at the Munich Security Conference, Mr. Zelensky urged Europe to establish its own military forces, encouraging the continent’s leaders to determine their own destiny and emphasizing that Ukraine’s military alone is insufficient for their security.
“Ukraine will never accept deals made behind our backs without our involvement. And the same rule should apply to all of Europe,” he affirmed.
Mr. Zelensky’s comments followed a phone call between Mr. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week, which marked the first discussion between US and Russian leaders since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. They expressed their expectations of a future meeting, likely in Saudi Arabia.
The Trump administration has left some European allies with the impression that it is making concessions to Mr. Putin at Ukraine’s expense before negotiations begin, even though statements from some senior US officials have created confusion.
Mr. Zelensky predicted that the Kremlin would attempt to convince Mr. Trump to participate in Russia’s 9 May commemorations in Moscow, which celebrate the Soviet victory in World War II with an annual military parade in Red Square.
He warned the conference attendees that it would be “dangerous” if Mr. Trump met Mr. Putin prior to their own meeting.
To European leaders, he posed serious questions, asking whether their armed forces would be prepared if Moscow launched a direct or “false-flag” operation.
The latter term refers to operations designed to appear as though they are carried out by a group other than the one responsible.
“If this (Ukraine-Russia) war concludes unfavorably, he (Putin) will have an excess of battle-hardened soldiers trained solely in killing and looting,” he remarked, referencing intelligence reports indicating that Russia plans to send its troops to Belarus this summer.
“As we engage in this war and lay the foundation for peace and security, we must construct the Armed Forces of Europe.”
Volodymyr Zelensky expressed, “We want peace very much,” following his meeting with JD Vance.
Recently, the Ukrainian leader communicated his need for “security guarantees” during a meeting with the US vice president to discuss the Trump administration’s efforts to mediate a ceasefire with Moscow.
Mr. Zelensky’s discussions with JD Vance in Munich occur as Ukraine strives to ensure it is not overlooked in the US’s initiative to bring the three-year war to a close.
This week, Mr. Trump surprised allies and altered the customary US support for Ukraine by announcing a likely upcoming meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to initiate truce discussions.
During a discussion with reporters in Munich, Mr. Zelensky emphasized the importance of more communication with the White House before any resolution to the conflict is established.
“We want peace very much but we need real security guarantees,” he asserted after his initial meeting with Mr. Vance.
In a preview of his interview with the US media outlet NBC, Mr. Zelensky warned that Ukraine “will have a low, low chance to survive without support from the United States.”
Mr. Vance, for his part, described their interactions as “good conversations” and acknowledged the administration’s objective of bringing the conflict to an end.
“We aim for a durable, lasting peace, not a resolution that would result in Eastern Europe facing conflict once again in just a couple of years,” Mr. Vance stated as their meeting concluded.
Mr. Zelensky later communicated on X that a US envoy would be traveling to Ukraine.
“We are prepared to advance as swiftly as possible towards a genuine and guaranteed peace,” he noted.
The Ukrainian leader admitted that it was “not very pleasant” that his phone call with Mr. Trump this week occurred after Mr. Putin’s lengthy discussion.
Read more: Vance tells Zelensky US wants ‘lasting’ peace
US officials have repeatedly assured that Ukraine will not be abandoned after three years of fighting against Russia’s invasion. Mr. Vance remarked before the Munich meeting that the United States is ready to exert pressure on Russia, asserting that Europe should “of course” be included in discussions.
Yet he also urged Europe to “step up” in strengthening its own defense capabilities to allow the US to concentrate on threats in other areas of the world.
Trump’s phone number
US officials have delivered inconsistent messages regarding Washington’s strategy after Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth appeared to dismiss the idea of Ukraine joining NATO or regaining all its territory.
This has raised significant concerns in Ukraine and Europe that Ukraine could be coerced into a poor agreement that leaves the continent vulnerable to an empowered Mr. Putin.
Nevertheless, Mr. Vance told the Wall Street Journal that Mr. Trump would place everything “on the table” in potential negotiations, suggesting that Washington could even employ “military leverage” against Russia to achieve a settlement.
JD Vance’s keynote address primarily focused on reprimanding Europe regarding immigration and free speech.
He did not reveal much more during his highly anticipated keynote speech, which mainly addressed immigration and free speech issues in Europe.
Saudi Arabia, mentioned by Mr. Trump as a likely venue for a meeting with Mr. Putin, has indicated its readiness to facilitate discussions between the two leaders.
Mr. Zelensky appeared to assuage fears that Mr. Trump intended to exclude Ukraine by stating that the US president had given him his personal contact number during their conversation.
European allies, who alongside Washington are among Ukraine’s most strong supporters, have insisted on being included in negotiations affecting their continent’s security.
French President Emmanuel Macron assured Mr. Zelensky that it is “Ukrainians alone who can drive the discussions for a solid and lasting peace” with Russia.
Mr. Zelensky mentioned that he had conversed with Mr. Macron about “many important issues, including security guarantees and specific proposals from France.”
In an effort to maintain close ties with the US, Ukraine is reportedly negotiating access to its rare mineral resources in exchange for future US security assurances.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen cautioned that compelling Ukraine into a detrimental agreement would undermine US interests.
“I believe that by collaborating, we can achieve that just and lasting peace,” she expressed.
