Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly stated that Ukraine will not accept any peace agreement concerning the ongoing war that is negotiated solely between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This declaration comes after a significant phone conversation between Trump and Putin, which has raised concerns in Kyiv and among European allies.
On Wednesday, President Trump announced that he and President Putin had agreed to initiate negotiations aimed at establishing a ceasefire in Ukraine. He emphasized the importance of achieving peace, even if it involves Ukraine conceding certain territories and refraining from pursuing NATO membership. Trump stated, “Peace is the priority, and sometimes that means making difficult decisions.” The two leaders are planning to meet in Saudi Arabia to further these discussions.
This move has been met with alarm in Kyiv. President Zelenskyy expressed his displeasure, noting that it was “unpleasant” that Trump had spoken to Russia before consulting Ukraine. He emphasized that any negotiations regarding Ukraine’s future must include Ukrainian participation and cannot be decided solely by external powers. Zelenskyy stated, “We, as a sovereign country, simply will not be able to accept any agreements without us.”
European leaders have also voiced their concerns. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, warned against any “quick fix” solutions, labeling them as “dirty deals.” She stressed that Europe must have a central role in any negotiations and that any agreement without Ukraine or the EU would fail. Kallas added, “It is not good tactics to give in to Russian demands even before the start of negotiations.”
The Kremlin, on the other hand, has welcomed Trump’s initiative. Russian officials and state media have celebrated the direct dialogue between Trump and Putin, viewing it as a significant diplomatic win. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned that while Ukraine would “of course” participate in peace talks in some way, there would also be a bilateral negotiation track between the United States and Russia.
This development marks a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Russia and the Ukraine conflict. Critics fear that Trump’s approach may lead to compromises that undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The exclusion of European allies from major discussions about the peace process has also raised concerns about the future dynamics of international alliances and the balance of power in the region.
As the situation unfolds, the international community is closely monitoring the actions of the involved parties. The emphasis remains on ensuring that any peace agreement is comprehensive, inclusive, and respects the sovereignty of Ukraine.
Source Links:
- Trump says he has spoken to Putin and agreed to negotiate Ukraine ceasefire
- Trump’s call with Putin ends U.S. efforts to isolate Russia
- Zelensky says Ukraine will NOT accept peace negotiated without them as Trump warned of ‘deal with the devil’ with Putin
- Russia rejoices at Trump-Putin call as Zelenskyy rejects talks without Ukraine present
- Kyiv, EU alarmed by prospect of ‘dirty deal’ after Trump-Putin call
