Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on February 14, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would meet with only one Russian as part of peace negotiations — Vladimir Putin. However, he emphasized that this would happen “only after we [have a] common plan with Trump [and] Europe.” After that, he said, he and Putin would sit down together and “stop the war.” Zelensky made it clear that he does not plan to meet with Russian representatives in Munich.
He said the war had brought “unity between the United States and Europe” and stressed that it is “very important not to lose this unity.” He warned that making a deal “without [Ukraine] or without Europe is not a good idea.”
Zelensky added that he is ready to travel to Washington “any day” to work with Donald Trump’s team on a joint plan, including maintaining pressure on Vladimir Putin through sanctions and other measures.
On February 12, Trump held separate calls with Putin and Zelensky and announced he had started talks to end the war in Ukraine. The move has raised concerns among Washington’s and Kyiv’s European allies, who worry they may be sidelined during negotiations.
