“Zelenskyy Warns: Leaving Ukraine Out of US-Russia War Talks Is ‘Very Dangerous’!”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that excluding Ukraine from U.S.-Russia war talks would be “very dangerous” and called for more direct discussions with Washington on a ceasefire plan.
In an exclusive interview with the AP, Zelenskyy said Russia refuses to negotiate, fearing any concessions would signal weakness. He urged former U.S. President Donald Trump to pressure Putin with energy and banking sanctions while keeping military aid flowing.
His remarks come after Trump claimed U.S. and Russian officials were already in “very serious” talks to end the war—though he offered no details.
“They may have their own relations, but talking about Ukraine without us is dangerous for everyone,” Zelenskyy warned.
Zelenskyy: Ukraine in Talks with Trump Team, But War at a Crossroads
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that his team has been in contact with the Trump administration, but discussions remain at a “general level.” He expects in-person meetings soon to hash out a concrete ceasefire plan.
With Trump focused on domestic issues after taking office, Ukraine’s nearly three-year war continues to escalate. Russia is making steady gains, Ukrainian forces are struggling with manpower shortages, and civilians face relentless attacks, power outages, and displacement. Nearly a fifth of Ukraine is now under Russian control, with Moscow erasing Ukrainian identity in occupied regions.
Zelenskyy previously agreed with Trump to meet if he won, but a visit by Trump’s Ukraine envoy was postponed, followed by a sudden U.S. foreign aid freeze—leaving Ukraine at a tipping point as its most crucial ally rethinks its role.
Zelenskyy Pushes for Trump Meeting, Warns Against Putin’s Control Over War
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the urgency of a direct meeting with Trump, calling it crucial for shaping a “common vision” for ending the war—something he says Europe also wants.
Zelenskyy envisions future negotiations including the U.S., Ukraine, Russia, and the EU but warns against allowing Putin to dictate terms. He insists that without firm security guarantees from allies, any deal would only invite future Russian aggression. His preferred solution? NATO membership, which he calls the “cheapest” and most effective security measure—one that would also be a strategic win for Trump.
Ukraine’s 800,000-strong army, Zelenskyy argues, would strengthen NATO, especially if Trump seeks to scale back U.S. military deployments abroad. He also supports other security guarantees, but only if backed by sufficient Western weaponry and investment in Ukraine’s defense industry.
Zelenskyy remains skeptical about a French proposal to deploy European forces in Ukraine, questioning their mandate and effectiveness against Russian attacks. “Who is in charge? What will they do if Russia escalates?” he asked, noting ongoing discussions with President Macron.
Meanwhile, after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed the war has set Ukraine back 100 years, Zelenskyy challenged him to visit the country firsthand. “He needs to see what Russia has done—but also what Ukrainians have accomplished for global security,” he said.
Associated Press journalist Volodymyr Yurchuk contributed to this report.