‘Never accept it’: Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky defies Donald Trump as peace talks take shape
Volodymyr Zelensky has responded to the American government’s latest remarks with a remarkably pointed message.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has delivered an extraordinarily pointed message to European leaders during a speech in Germany, strongly implying that the United States can no longer be trusted to oppose Russia under the administration of Donald Trump.
Speaking to the Munich Security Conference on Saturday night, Australian time,, Mr Zelensky alluded to Mr Trump’s comments, in recent days, echoing Vladimir Putin’s rhetoric on the war in Ukraine.
And he referred quite directly to US Vice President J.D. Vance’s remarks in the same genre.
“Just yesterday, here in Munich, the US Vice President made it clear. The old relationship between Europe and America is ending, and Europe needs to adjust to that,” he said.
“I believe in Europe. And I’m sure you believe too. And I urge you to act for your own sake.
“Right now, Ukraine’s army, supported by foreign aid – thank you so much – is holding back Russia. But if not us, then who will stop them?
“Let’s be honest. We can’t rule out that America might say no to Europe.”
Mr Zelensky went on to advocate for a European army, something that has been suggested – with no small measure of controversy – before.
But it perhaps has more salience, and a better chance of drawing support from European leaders, now that America is pulling back.
“Many leaders have talked about a Europe that needs its own military. An army. An Army of Europe. And I believe the time has come. The armed forces of Europe must be created,” said Mr Zelensky.
“This is not just about increasing defence spending as a GDP ratio. People and weapons don’t come for free. It’s about people realising they need to defend their own. Their own home.
“Without Ukraine’s army, Europe’s armies will not be enough to stop Russia. But our army alone is not enough.
“Years of war have proven that we already have the foundation for a European military force, and now, as we fight this war, and lay the groundwork for peace, we must build the armed forces of Europe. So Europe’s future depends only on Europeans, and decisions about Europe are made in Europe.”
This was all hinting, without much subtlety, at a need to forgo American leadership.
“If the Americans decide to go their way, decreasing their presence, it’s not good. Of course, it’s very dangerous. But we all, in Europe, need to be ready,” said Mr Zelensky.
“America needs to see where Europe is heading. This direction, of European policy, should not just be promising. It should make America want to stand with Europe.
“Europe must decide its own future.”
The fear, in Ukraine, is that US President Donald Trump intends to negotiate a peace deal directly with Vladimir Putin, cutting Ukrainians out of the process.
“Once again: Europe needs its own armed forces. This isn’t about replacing the (NATO) alliance. This is about making Europe’s contribution to our partnership equal to America’s,” said Mr Zelensky.
What followed was a sharp message aimed squarely at the Trump administration.
“Ukraine will never accept deals made behind our backs without our involvement,” he said.
“And the same rule should apply to all of Europe. No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine. No decisions about Europe without Europe.
“Europe must have a seat at the table when decisions about Europe are being made.
“If we are left out of negotiations about our own future, then we all lose.”
Mr Trump has been asked repeatedly, throughout this week, whether he will treat Ukraine as an equal partner in peace talks with Russia. The answer has been ambiguous at best.
“Look at what Putin is trying to do now. This is his game. Putin wants one-on-one talks with America,” Mr Zelensky said in Munich.
“Just as, before the war, when they met in Switzerland and looked to carve up the world.
“Putin will try to get the US President standing on Red Square on May 9 this year, not as a respected leader, but as a prop in his own performance.
“We don’t need that. We need real success. We need real peace.
“Does America need Europe as a market? Yes. But as an ally? I don’t know.
“Europe needs a single voice, not a dozen different ones. Even those who regularly come to Mar-a-Lago need to be part of a strong Europe. Because President Trump doesn’t like weak friends. He respects strength.
“If not Brussels, then Moscow. It’s your decision.”
The negotiations between Mr Trump and Putin are, of course, the biggest item on the diplomatic agenda at the moment.
“A few days ago, President Trump told me about his conversation with Putin. Not once did he mention that he needs Europe at the table. That says a lot,” said Mr Zelensky.
He explicitly rebuked comments from Mr Trump’s Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, that NATO membership for Ukraine was unrealistic. (Those remarks from Mr Hegseth have since been walked back.)
“I will not take NATO membership for Ukraine off the table. But right now, the most influential member of NATO seems to be Putin. Because his whims have the power to block NATO decisions. That’s despite the fact that it’s Ukraine’s army that stopped Russia, not a NATO country. Not NATO troops. Only our people and our army,” said Mr Zelensky.
“There are no foreign armies fighting on Ukraine’s side in this war.
“I am proud of Ukraine. I am proud of our people.”
Again emphasising the point, Mr Zelensky said the “core” of any security guarantees for Ukraine “must be NATO membership”.
“Or if not that, conditions that allow us to build another NATO right here in Ukraine. Because at some point there will be a border between war and peace. Where that border is drawn, and how strong it is, is up to us,” he said.
“We must apply pressure together to make a real peace.”
Originally published as ‘Never accept it’: Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky defies Donald Trump as peace talks take shape
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