During an interview on NBC News’ Meet the Press, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine must be directly involved in any negotiations to end the war with Russia.
Speaking from the Munich Security Conference, he firmly rejected the idea of the U.S. and Russia making decisions about Ukraine without its participation, calling the conflict a war against his nation with devastating human losses.
As reports emerge of potential U.S.-Russia peace talks, Zelenskyy insisted that his country must have a seat at the table. Meanwhile, former Trump advisor Keith Kellogg criticized past European-led negotiations, stating that previous attempts, such as those by France and Germany, had failed.
Despite his stance, Zelenskyy acknowledged that former U.S. President Donald Trump could have significant influence over Russian President Vladimir Putin. While maintaining that Putin is not genuinely interested in peace, he suggested that the Russian leader is somewhat wary of Trump and that the former president could potentially pressure him into negotiations.
Zelenskyy also admitted that Ukraine’s survival heavily depends on continued U.S. support. Without American aid, he warned, the country would face significant challenges. However, Trump recently suggested that any future U.S. military assistance should be tied to Ukraine providing access to valuable rare earth minerals.
