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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine will not accept any peace deal that excludes Ukraine from negotiations.
Some shit you should know before you read: Yesterday, President Donald Trump confirmed that he held a “lengthy and highly productive” call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and announced plans for an in-person meeting. Notably, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not be included in these initial discussions. Trump suggested that Ukraine might not need to be directly involved in peace talks, hinting that a resolution could be reached between the US and Russia without Kyiv’s participation. He also warned that if the war continues, Ukraine itself might cease to exist, a remark that has alarmed Ukrainian officials and European allies.
What’s going on now: In response to Trump’s comments, President Zelenskyy rejected any negotiations about Ukraine that do not include his country, noting that he would “not accept any agreements made without” Ukraine. He warned that sidelining Ukraine in discussions about its own future is both unfair and dangerous, stressing that any lasting peace must involve direct Ukrainian participation. Addressing Trump’s decision to call Putin before him, Zelenskyy admitted it was “not pleasant” and said that such moves send troubling signals to both Ukrainians and EU allies.
European and NATO leaders echoed Zelenskyy’s concerns, warning that excluding Ukraine from negotiations could destabilize the region and embolden Russia. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas criticized the White House for engaging with Putin without first consulting Ukraine or European partners, saying, “There’s an agreement being made behind our backs that simply will not work.” Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk stressed that Ukraine, Europe, and the US must negotiate “together,” while Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna cautioned against any concessions that would reward Russian aggression.
This all comes as plans for a Trump-Putin summit are taking shape, with the two leaders expected to meet in Saudi Arabia for their first in-person discussions. In addition to this meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly invited President Donald Trump to visit Moscow, a move that would mark a significant diplomatic shift if it takes place. In response, Trump has extended his own invitation for Putin to visit the United States, though details of either potential visit remain unclear.
