Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he would not accept any US-Russia agreements about Ukraine without the Ukrainian involvement.
In a “Meet the Press” interview, Zelenskyy spoke to Kristen Welker in Munich, Germany and said, “I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine, never. This is the war in Ukraine, against us, and it’s our human losses.”
The Munich Security Conference brought together Trump administration officials, GOP seNators, European leaders and Zelenskyy to discuss ending the conflict. Zelenskyy addressed Trump’s role in peace talks, Nato’s future, Russia’s broader threat, and potential dialogue with Putin.
Regarding Nato’s future, Zelenskyy advocated for European allies’ participation in negotiations, highlighting concerns about potential Russian expansion. He shared intelligence about Russian military exercises in Belarus, warning about possible invasions into other European territories.
Speaking in Ukrainian, Zelenskyy expressed concerns about Poland and Lithuania being at risk. He later switched to English when discussing his meeting with Vice President JD Vance, stating that US withdrawal from Nato would lead to its collapse.
He suggested that without US military deterrence, Russia might occupy parts of Europe, particularly former Soviet nations. European Nato members, he noted, lack sufficient military capacity for independent defence.
Following Trump’s recent communication with Putin, Zelenskyy acknowledged American support whilst emphasising that no leader could negotiate with Putin without Ukrainian involvement. He suggested Putin fears Trump, which could facilitate peace talks.
Zelenskyy stressed Ukraine’s strategic importance to the US, expressing hope for prioritisation over Russia. He cautioned against trusting Putin’s words, citing a failed 2019 peace agreement.
Regarding territorial matters, Zelenskyy stated Ukrainian law prevents recognising Russian occupation of Ukrainian territory. However, he indicated willingness to discuss territorial concessions if Ukraine could join Nato.
On economic matters, Zelenskyy discussed potential agreements regarding Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, particularly titanium. He emphasised that any mineral-related deals must include US security guarantees, stating, “Help us defend this, and we will make money on this together.”
