Zelensky: No Peace Agreement Without Ukraine’s Participation
Zelensky: No Peace Agreement Without Ukraine’s Participation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly stated that Ukraine will reject any peace deal proposed by the US and Russia if it excludes Ukrainian involvement. His remarks come after Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin agreed to initiate talks to end the war.
"As an independent nation, we cannot accept such an agreement," Zelensky declared.
Trump, following a phone conversation with Putin, mentioned there was a "good possibility" of ending the war. However, he expressed that Ukraine’s NATO membership was "impractical" and suggested it was "unlikely" for Ukraine to regain its pre-invasion borders.
The former US president announced that Russian and American representatives would meet on Friday in Munich during a security conference. "Russia will be there with our people," Trump stated, adding that Ukraine was also invited, though he was unsure which officials would attend from each country.
Zelensky's adviser, Dmytro Lytvyn, denied that any "talks with Russians in Munich" were planned. Meanwhile, Zelensky is scheduled to meet US Vice-President JD Vance in Munich on Friday.
Zelensky, who had a private call with Trump on Wednesday, stressed that no agreement should be reached without Ukraine’s participation. He also emphasized that European nations must be included in negotiations and reiterated his priority of securing "security guarantees" from the US and its allies. Additionally, he argued that NATO membership for Ukraine would be the "most cost-effective" security solution for its partners.
The Ukrainian president warned world leaders against trusting Putin’s claims of willingness to end the war.
Several European allies echoed Zelensky’s stance, rejecting any attempt to impose a settlement on Kyiv:
UK Defence Secretary John Healey insisted that "Ukraine must be central to any negotiations."
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz opposed a "dictated peace" and criticized Washington for making early concessions to the Kremlin.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas accused the US of "appeasement" and warned against making concessions before negotiations begin.
Trump, who held his first publicized call with Putin since the full-scale invasion in 2022, announced plans to meet the Russian leader in Saudi Arabia but provided no details.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump stated he believed Putin wanted to end the war and expected a ceasefire soon. When asked about Ukraine’s role in the peace process, he replied, "They have to make peace."
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking at a NATO summit on Thursday, said peace talks would involve both Putin and Zelensky, describing Trump as the "perfect dealmaker."
While Hegseth initially called it "unrealistic" for Ukraine to regain its pre-2014 borders and downplayed NATO membership, he later clarified that "everything was on the table" and that President Trump was leading the discussions. He also indicated that financial aid for Ukraine and adjustments to US troop numbers in Europe could be part of the negotiations.
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