Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Calls for Ceasefire Talks With Trump \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned against U.S.-Russia peace talks that exclude Ukraine, calling it “very dangerous”. In an interview with The Associated Press, he urged more direct engagement with Washington to develop a ceasefire plan. Zelenskyy said Trump could pressure Putin through economic sanctions and military aid to Ukraine. Meanwhile, the war drags on, with Russia advancing and Ukraine facing severe manpower shortages. Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, arguing it would be the most cost-effective security guarantee for Trump and Europe.
Quick Look
- Zelenskyy Urges Inclusion in Peace Talks: The Ukrainian president called it “very dangerous” for the U.S. and Russia to discuss Ukraine’s future without Kyiv at the table.
- Trump Claims U.S.-Russia Talks Are Underway: Trump said his administration is already in “serious discussions” with Russia about ending the war, but offered no details.
- Ceasefire Talks Unclear as War Drags On: Ukraine faces manpower shortages and daily Russian attacks, while Moscow continues its slow but steady battlefield gains.
- Zelenskyy Pushes for Direct Meeting With Trump: He said his team has been in contact with Trump’s administration but emphasized the need for in-person talks to develop a ceasefire plan.
- Ukraine Still Wants NATO Membership: Zelenskyy called NATO the “cheapest” and most effective security guarantee and argued it would strengthen Trump’s geopolitical position.
- European Troops in Ukraine? Zelenskyy confirmed France’s proposal for a European military presence but raised concerns over command structure and effectiveness.
- Zelenskyy Invites U.S. Secretary of State to Visit: After Marco Rubio suggested Ukraine had been set back 100 years, Zelenskyy urged him to visit Ukraine and see the reality firsthand.
- What’s Next? Zelenskyy is pushing for direct U.S.-Ukraine talks, while Trump’s approach to ending the war remains unclear as Russia continues its aggressive offensive.
Deep Look
Zelenskyy: U.S.-Russia Talks Without Ukraine Are “Very Dangerous”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on Saturday that excluding Ukraine from peace talks between the U.S. and Russia could be a grave mistake. Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, he insisted that any discussions about Ukraine’s future must include Kyiv, emphasizing that Vladimir Putin will not negotiate unless pressured.
Zelenskyy believes that Trump has the ability to bring Putin to the table but only by leveraging economic sanctions on Russia’s energy and banking sectors, coupled with continued military support for Ukraine.
“These are the closest and most important steps,” he said, stressing that Ukraine must not be sidelined in diplomatic efforts to end the war.
His comments came a day after Trump claimed that U.S. and Russian officials were already in “serious discussions” about ending the conflict, though he did not elaborate.
“They may have their own relations, but talking about Ukraine without us—it is dangerous for everyone,” Zelenskyy stated.
Ukraine’s War at a Crossroads
The war, now approaching its third year, remains at a critical juncture. Russia continues to make slow but steady advances, while Ukraine struggles with manpower shortages and repeated Russian attacks on infrastructure and residential areas.
Millions of Ukrainians remain displaced, unable to return home, while Russian forces occupy nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory. In occupied areas, Moscow is systematically erasing Ukrainian identity, implementing Russian governance, currency, and propaganda.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s largest and most crucial ally, the United States, is undergoing a shift in leadership, with Trump back in the White House. The former president has pledged to end the war within six months, but it remains unclear how a ceasefire deal would take shape given the vast differences between Kyiv and Moscow’s positions.
Zelenskyy Pushes for Direct Talks With Trump
Zelenskyy confirmed that his team has been in contact with Trump’s administration, but said discussions so far have been broad and general. He emphasized the need for in-person meetings with Trump to discuss a concrete plan for ending the war.
“We need to work more on this,” he said, acknowledging that Trump has been focused on domestic issues in his first weeks back in office.
Zelenskyy revealed that he and Trump had agreed during the 2024 election campaign to meet if Trump won. However, a planned visit by Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, was postponed due to legal reasons, followed by a sudden freeze on U.S. foreign aid—a move that halted many Ukrainian defense projects.
“I believe that, first and foremost, we must hold a meeting with him. That is important,” Zelenskyy said.
He stressed that Europe also wants clarity on Trump’s approach, noting that a unified vision among the U.S., Europe, and Ukraine is crucial to ending the war.
A Ceasefire Proposal? What Ukraine Wants in Negotiations
Zelenskyy outlined his vision for a negotiating framework, stating that a Ukraine-U.S.-Russia peace summit should also include the European Union.
“I would like to see the United States of America, Ukraine, and the Russians at the negotiating table. And, to be honest, a European Union voice should also be there.”
However, he remains deeply skeptical of Russia’s intentions. He cautioned that without strong security guarantees, any ceasefire agreement could merely set the stage for future Russian aggression.
NATO Membership: Ukraine’s Preferred Security Guarantee
For long-term security, Zelenskyy remains committed to Ukraine joining NATO, despite Moscow’s firm opposition. He argued that NATO membership is the cheapest and most effective security solution for both Ukraine and its allies.
“I really believe that these are the cheapest security guarantees that Ukraine can get, the cheapest for everyone.”
He framed NATO expansion as a strategic win for Trump, asserting that denying Russia the power to dictate who joins NATO would strengthen Trump geopolitically.
“It will be a signal that it is not for Russia to decide who should be in NATO, but for the United States of America to decide. I think this is a great victory for Trump.”
He also emphasized that Ukraine’s 800,000-strong military would be an asset to the alliance, particularly if Trump aims to reduce U.S. troop deployments overseas.
Skepticism Over European Military Presence in Ukraine
Zelenskyy also addressed a French proposal to deploy European forces to Ukraine, an idea first raised by French President Emmanuel Macron. While acknowledging that the proposal was under discussion, Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about its feasibility.
“We are interested in this as a part of the security guarantee, but not as the only guarantee of safety. That’s not enough.”
He raised critical questions about how a European force would operate, including:
- Who would be in command?
- How would troops respond to Russian attacks?
- Would they engage if Russia launched another full-scale offensive?
“Imagine, there is a contingent. The question is, who is in charge? What will they do if there are Russian strikes? Missiles, disembarkation, attack from the sea, offensive—what will they do? What are their mandates?”
When asked if he had put those concerns directly to Macron, Zelenskyy smiled and said:
“We are still in the process of this dialogue.”
Zelenskyy Invites U.S. Secretary of State to Ukraine
Following comments by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who claimed the war had set Ukraine back 100 years, Zelenskyy invited him to visit Ukraine and see the situation firsthand.
“He needs to come to Ukraine to see what Russia has done,” Zelenskyy said.
He insisted that Rubio should also witness Ukraine’s resilience and the sacrifices Ukrainians have made to defend not just their country, but European security as a whole.
What’s Next?
- Zelenskyy will continue pressing for a direct meeting with Trump to outline Ukraine’s conditions for a ceasefire.
- Ukraine will maintain its push for NATO membership, despite Russian opposition.
- Kyiv will engage in further discussions with European allies about potential military deployments in Ukraine.
- The fate of U.S. aid to Ukraine remains uncertain, as Trump reassesses foreign policy priorities.
With Russia still advancing and Trump promising to end the war quickly, the coming months could determine the fate of Ukraine’s sovereignty, security, and Western alliances.
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Calls Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Calls
