President Volodymyr Zelensky has broken his silence after Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin said in a bizarre call that they would “work together, very closely” to end Russia’s war on Ukraine.
The Ukranian leader said he will not accept any agreements about Ukraine that do not include his country in talks. Brieifng the public on his 90-minute call with Putin last night, Trump said he had agreed with Russia’s leader to “work together, very closely” on bringing the three-year conflict to an end.
He said the call was “great” and that the two countries “are on the way to peace”. The President added he would likely meet with Putin soon in Saudi Arabia, but also suggested Putin could come to the US, and that he could go over to Russia. After also speaking to Zelensky on the phone, Trump announced all three men agreed on wanting peace. “We want to end that war,” he added. “That war is a disaster.”
After the call, UK Defence Secretary John Healey warned the 78-year-old there “can be no negotiation about Ukraine without Ukraine”. Healey, who made the comments as Nato defence ministers met in Brussels on Wednesday morning, said Russia remains a threat “well beyond Ukraine”.
In response to Trump’s comments, Healey said Nato’s job is to “put Ukraine in strongest possible position for any talks”. The Defence Secretary said: “We’ve seen the calls from President Trump overnight and we all want to see a durable peace and no return to conflict and aggression – and let’s not forget, Russia remains a threat well beyond Ukraine.
“So my message in these discussions will be that there can be no negotiation about Ukraine without Ukraine and Ukraine’s voice must be at the heart of any talks. Ukrainians are fighting bravely. It’s our jobs. It’s our job as defence ministers here at Nato, to put them in the best position to secure a lasting peace through strength.”
Zelensky said Russia and the US’ close bond and power will be vital in securing peace in the region. “We believe that America’s strength is sufficient to pressure Russia and Putin into peace,” the Ukraine President, 47, said in a video message posted after his own phone conversation with Mr Trump.
He continued: “We are doing our best to bring peace closer. I thank all those who are helping.” His comments come after allegations North Korean soldiers are “sitting duck” as they have “no idea why they are in Ukraine or who they are fighting”.
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