Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for the United States to first agree on a joint strategy with Ukraine to end the ongoing war with Russia, before considering peace talks with the Kremlin.
His statement follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which Trump discussed the possibility of meeting with Putin in Saudi Arabia to work towards a resolution of the conflict. Zelenskyy expressed concerns that such moves could sideline Ukraine and its interests.
In a press conference on Thursday, Zelenskyy remarked that it was “not very pleasant” that Trump had initiated a conversation with Putin before speaking to him.
Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s direct involvement in any negotiations, asserting that as a sovereign nation, Ukraine would not accept any peace agreements made without its participation. He also noted that Trump had indicated a desire to speak to both leaders together but underscored that Ukraine must be at the table when crucial decisions are made.
Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Munich on Friday, where they will discuss further steps in Ukraine’s ongoing war efforts. The Ukrainian president highlighted that before any truce talks could occur, Ukraine needed to solidify its position with the U.S. and ensure its allies were aligned in the approach.
“We, as a sovereign country, simply will not be able to accept any agreements without us,” Zelenskyy stated firmly. His comments came in response to ongoing concerns over a lack of clarity in the U.S. position on how to end the war and the absence of a specific peace plan from Washington.
Despite the apparent interest in peace talks, Zelenskyy made it clear that Ukraine needed strong, actionable commitments from the United States and other allies before it would engage directly with Russia.
He expressed appreciation for comments from Vice President Vance, who had suggested the possibility of tougher sanctions on Russia or even the deployment of U.S. troops to Ukraine if President Putin did not engage in meaningful negotiations.
Furthermore, Zelenskyy voiced concern that Trump’s phone call with Putin had not yet resulted in a clear peace plan. While Trump’s outreach to Putin signified a desire to begin talks, Zelenskyy pointed out that no specific terms for a peace settlement had been put forward. According to Zelenskyy, any potential agreement would need to gain support from both Ukraine and Europe in order to be truly effective.
The Ukrainian president’s cautious stance reflects his wariness about the U.S. stance on several key issues, including Ukraine’s territorial integrity and its potential future membership in NATO. Zelenskyy stressed the need for more transparency and clarity from the U.S. before engaging in direct talks with Russia.
As Zelenskyy continues his efforts to garner international support for Ukraine’s position, his message is clear: any peace settlement must prioritize Ukraine’s sovereignty and involve a coordinated effort with its allies, particularly the U.S. Without this framework, Zelenskyy is reluctant to engage in any discussions with Russia that might undermine Ukraine’s territorial rights or long-term security.
