US-Russia Peace Deal
KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has firmly stated that Ukraine will not accept any peace deal negotiated between the United States and Russia without Kyiv’s direct involvement.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Zelenskiy emphasized that as an independent nation, Ukraine must be included in all discussions determining its future. His remarks come amid growing concerns that Moscow and Washington may attempt to reach a bilateral agreement without consulting Kyiv or European allies.
Zelenskiy made these comments while visiting a nuclear power plant before departing for the Munich Security Conference.
His statement followed reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin, announcing the start of potential negotiations regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“We, as an independent country, simply will not be able to accept any agreements without us,” Zelenskiy declared, underscoring Ukraine’s position that it must play a central role in any peace talks.
The conversation between Trump and Putin, along with comments from Trump’s defense secretary suggesting that Ukraine’s NATO membership is unlikely and that reclaiming its pre-2014 borders is unrealistic, has alarmed European nations.
Many fear that the White House may seek to strike a deal with Moscow that undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
Zelenskiy warned against such a move, stressing that Putin’s strategy revolves around securing direct negotiations with the United States while sidelining Ukraine. He insisted that Washington and Kyiv must first formulate a concrete plan to end the war before engaging with the Russian side.
Ukraine has been pushing for a meeting between Zelenskiy and Trump before any direct U.S.-Russia talks take place. However, while efforts are being made to arrange such a meeting, no official date has been set. Meanwhile, Trump has indicated that he expects to meet with Putin in the near future, possibly in Saudi Arabia.
Zelenskiy clarified that he did not discuss NATO membership during his phone call with Trump, though he acknowledged that Washington remains opposed to Ukraine’s accession to the alliance.
He also downplayed the significance of Trump speaking to Putin before calling him, stating that while the move was “unpleasant,” it did not necessarily indicate Washington’s true priorities.
As Ukraine approaches the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the situation on the battlefield remains challenging.
Russian forces currently occupy about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory and have been slowly advancing in the eastern regions. Kyiv, facing manpower shortages, continues to fight back while holding onto strategic positions in western Russia.
With diplomatic maneuvering intensifying, Zelenskiy remains firm in his stance: any resolution to the conflict must involve Ukraine and its European allies. The prospect of a U.S.-Russia deal without Kyiv’s consent, he warned, is simply unacceptable.
