Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Thursday that he will not accept any peace agreement without his country’s participation.
His remarks came in response to questions from the press about the conversation between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, in which they agreed to begin negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
Following Zelensky’s comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov assured that Ukraine “will, of course, be part of the negotiations in one way or another.” He explained that there will be a bilateral dialogue channel between Russia and the U.S. and another in which Ukraine will be involved, according to the Russian news agency TASS.
For Steve Rosenberg, BBC correspondent in Russia, Moscow securing direct negotiations with Washington represents a diplomatic victory for Putin, who has been internationally isolated and under sanctions since the invasion began.
Regarding the negotiations, Zelensky insisted that “it is important that not everything follows Putin’s plan,” as he aims to negotiate peace in Ukraine directly with the U.S.
While Zelensky said he does not see the call between Trump and Putin as a sign that the U.S. prioritizes dialogue with Russia, he admitted that it was “not very pleasant” for him.
“You cannot talk about Ukraine without Ukraine,” he stated, adding that Europeans should also be part of the negotiating table.
Washington and Kyiv are negotiating an agreement in which Ukraine would sell rare earth minerals to the U.S. in exchange for military support.
The Secretary General of NATO, the military alliance between Europe and North America, stated: “We all agree that we must put Ukraine in the best possible position for negotiations.”
Meanwhile, Mark Rutte noted that the alliance will support a strong defense plan, which will require a significant increase in military spending from its member countries.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also urged other NATO countries to increase their contributions.
Since taking office, Donald Trump has made it clear that, in his view, financial support for Ukraine should come from European countries rather than the U.S.
Hegseth also emphasized that Trump’s priority is to achieve a “diplomatic and peaceful end to this war as quickly as possible” and that “any negotiation must include both Ukraine and Russia.”
NATO has provided Ukraine with a military aid package worth $51 billion, 60% of which came from Europe and Canada. According to Rutte, this is a “clear symbol” that Europe and Canada are taking on a greater share of the burden, in line with President Trump’s request.
