Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cautioned against trusting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claims of seeking peace, following comments from former US President Donald Trump, who insisted that he believes Putin “wants peace.” Trump’s surprise remark, suggesting a desire to start peace talks with Putin to end the war, shocked Ukraine and its European allies, many of whom questioned his approach and urged the US not to make any deals without consulting them.
In response to Trump’s 90-minute phone call with Putin on Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reassured NATO partners that this did not signal a betrayal of Ukraine’s nearly three-year-long war effort.
Zelensky, set to meet US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, expressed displeasure over Trump speaking with Putin before contacting him. In a social media post after speaking with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Zelensky warned world leaders not to trust Putin’s readiness to end the war. The Ukrainian leader emphasized the need for the US to create a “plan to stop Putin” before any talks begin.
Meanwhile, Trump reiterated that Ukraine would remain part of any discussions, asserting that he was convinced Putin genuinely “wants peace.” He expressed confidence that Putin would communicate if his intentions were otherwise.
Kremlin Talks and European Pushback
The Kremlin indicated that “one way or another,” Kyiv would be involved in peace talks, alongside a “bilateral Russian-American track.” However, European allies of Ukraine firmly opposed any attempts to impose a settlement on Kyiv. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejected the idea of a “dictated peace,” stressing that neither a Russian victory nor a Ukrainian collapse would bring peace and stability, warning of risks extending beyond Ukraine to the broader European continent.
EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas also criticized the possibility of a deal being made “behind our backs,” accusing the US of “appeasement” towards Russia. She emphasized the importance of not conceding anything before negotiations even start, fearing it would play into Russia’s hands. “Any quick fix is a dirty deal,” she said.
Trump’s administration had previously dampened Ukraine’s aspirations of reclaiming all its territory and pushing for NATO membership. Hegseth countered the notion of betrayal, stating that the US was committed to a peaceful resolution that would require both sides to recognize uncomfortable truths.
Support for Ukraine and Negotiation Plans
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov reassured NATO allies, stating that Ukraine remains strong and capable, determined to continue its efforts. Zelensky’s upcoming meeting with Vance is part of a series of high-level talks involving senior US officials. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently visited Kyiv to discuss a potential deal granting the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth mineral resources in exchange for security support. In a radio interview, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted that Ukraine might sign an agreement to repay US taxpayers for their financial assistance.
Trump’s accelerated peace push has taken many by surprise, particularly after three years of strong Western support for Ukraine. He even suggested that Russia should be welcomed back into the G7, a group from which it was suspended in 2014 after Moscow annexed Crimea, calling it a “mistake” to have excluded Putin.
Growing Concerns Over Ukraine’s Security
Kyiv’s European supporters are concerned that Trump’s approach could lead to a peace deal that leaves Ukraine at a disadvantage, facing an emboldened Russia while shouldering much of the post-war security burden. French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu expressed fears that the US administration might be conceding too much to Russia.
However, Hegseth suggested that European troops could provide security guarantees for Ukraine under a peace deal, with British defense officials indicating that planning on this front was accelerating. Zelensky has raised the possibility of exchanging territory held by Russia for Ukrainian land currently under Moscow’s control. However, Ukraine’s position in the Kursk region, which it had captured last year, has deteriorated, with Kyiv now holding barely a third of the area.
