Godsent Ogbebor
Zelensky Accuses US of Trying to ‘Please’ Putin in Peace Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused the United States of attempting to appease Russian President Vladimir Putin as talks to end the nearly three-year war begin in Saudi Arabia today.
Zelensky expressed concerns over the exclusion of Ukraine and the European Union from the negotiations, a move linked to US President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker a swift resolution to the conflict.
The decision has prompted crisis talks among European leaders in Paris.
Speaking in an interview quoted by broadcaster ARD, Zelensky warned that any peace deal favoring Russia would expose Europe to military weakness, especially if Moscow is allowed to dictate terms.
“The US is now saying things that are very favorable to Putin… because they want to please him. They want to meet quickly and have a quick win. But what they want ‘just a ceasefire’ is not a win,” Zelensky said.
Read also: Drone Attack on Ukrainian City Injures Mother and Two Children
Trump, who had pledged during his campaign to end the war within 100 days of taking office, announced last week that he had spoken directly with Putin to outline a rapid peace process.
Reports suggest that the proposed deal could heavily favor Russia, potentially ruling out Ukraine’s NATO membership and abandoning efforts to reclaim territories lost since 2014.
However, Zelensky has firmly rejected any agreement that compromises Ukraine’s sovereignty. “We will not sign just anything in order to be applauded,” he stated, emphasizing that “the fate of our state for generations to come” is at stake.
In response to the US-led talks, European leaders convened an emergency meeting in Paris on Monday, stressing the need for greater self-reliance while reaffirming their commitment to Ukraine.
They also highlighted the importance of maintaining NATO unity despite disagreements over Washington’s approach.
Zelensky cautioned that Europe remains vulnerable without US military support.
While he acknowledged Ukraine’s growing resilience over the past three years, he insisted that “there will definitely not be a Ukrainian victory without US support.”
The Ukrainian president also confirmed that he and Trump had discussed the possibility of deploying foreign troops to oversee a future ceasefire.