Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy articulated his perspective on achieving peace in his nation, emphasizing the necessity of collaboration with US President Donald Trump. He asserted unequivocally that he would reject any peace agreement reached exclusively between the United States and Russia, without Ukraine’s participation.
“I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine, never,” Zelenskyy stated during an interview on NBC News’s Meet the Press, conducted on Friday in Munich, Germany. “This is the war in Ukraine, against us and it’s our human losses.”
Zelenskyy further indicated that Trump possesses the influence to encourage Vladimir Putin to engage in ceasefire discussions regarding Ukraine, while cautioning that the Russian leader should not be trusted.
“We believe that Putin will wage war against NATO,” Zelenskyy remarked in the interview broadcast on Sunday.
He proposed that Putin might be anticipating a potential “weakening of NATO,” which could arise from the United States contemplating a reduction of its military presence in Europe. He cautioned that a more assertive Russia could swiftly pursue territorial expansion.
“I don’t know (if) they will want 30 percent of Europe, 50 percent, I don’t know. Nobody knows. But they will have this possibility,” he noted.
Zelensky expressed at the conference, “We cannot dismiss the possibility that America may decline to support Europe on matters that pose a threat to its interests.”
“I firmly believe the time has arrived for the establishment of a European Armed Forces.”
The concept of a unified continental military force has been discussed for years without significant progress, and Zelensky’s remarks are unlikely to alter the current dynamics.
Zelensky cautions against placing trust in Putin amid US-Russia discussions. His latest warnings coincided with Washington’s announcement of a meeting in Saudi Arabia involving senior US officials and their counterparts from Moscow and Kyiv.
This week, Trump disrupted the existing framework by indicating his intention to meet with Putin to initiate discussions aimed at resolving the conflict.
Zelensky noted that during his conversations with Trump, the president suggested that Putin was prepared for negotiations.
“I told (Trump), ‘No, Putin is a deceiver. He does not seek peace.'”
However, Zelensky also mentioned that he believes Putin is “somewhat intimidated” by the US president.
“I genuinely think he can be compelled by the US president to engage in peace talks,” Zelensky stated, adding, “Do not place your trust in him. Do not trust Putin.”
US officials have made efforts to reassure Ukraine that it will not be abandoned following three years of resistance against Russia’s invasion.
After meeting with Zelensky in Munich, US Vice President JD Vance emphasized that the United States is pursuing a “sustainable, enduring peace” that would prevent further violence in the years ahead.
Nevertheless, Washington has conveyed mixed signals to Kyiv, with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth seemingly dismissing the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO or reclaiming all of its territory.
