The focus this week was on efforts to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine, with members of the Trump administration, several GOP senators, European leaders, and Zelenskyy convening in Germany for the Munich Security Conference. In an interview, Zelenskyy discussed Trump’s role in the peace talks, his thoughts on the future of NATO, the threat Russia poses to countries beyond Ukraine, what he would say to Russian President Vladimir Putin if they met face to face, and more.
Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of European allies joining the negotiations to end the war, highlighting the potential consequences for NATO if Russia is not deterred or if the U.S. withdraws from the alliance. He raised concerns about Russia’s military activities in Belarus and the possibility of a broader invasion in Europe in the near future. Zelenskyy also expressed worries about the repercussions of U.S. military disengagement on European defense capabilities and the risk of Russia encroaching on former Soviet nations.
The Ukrainian leader acknowledged Trump’s efforts in unsettling Putin and fostering the groundwork for significant peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Despite expressing gratitude for American support, Zelenskyy underscored the necessity of Ukraine’s involvement in any deal-making with Putin.
During peace negotiations, President Zelenskyy urged President Trump to prioritize Ukraine over Russia, emphasizing the crucial role of American military assistance for Ukraine’s survival. Zelenskyy expressed hope that Trump was negotiating in good faith but cautioned against trusting Russian President Putin, referring to him as a “killer” and a “terrorist.” Despite acknowledging the challenges of reclaiming all territory seized by Russia since 2014, Zelenskyy affirmed Ukraine’s commitment to not recognize the occupied land as Russian territory and expressed willingness to discuss territorial concessions as part of a diplomatic agreement to join NATO. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing the well-being of the people and hinted at the possibility of winning the war militarily, albeit with significant losses.
“Please, provide support, as it will be challenging. It will be lengthy. Longer than it ought to be.”On Friday, Zelenskyy also addressed a potential agreement being discussed between the U.S. and Ukraine concerning the latter’s rare earth minerals. “We delved into the specifics of America’s imports, specifically in terms of rare earth minerals essential for its industries. Taking titanium as an example, we have identified that Ukraine possesses titanium, providing precise information to indicate its availability for industry needs for a span of 40 years,” Zelenskyy emphasized. The Trump administration has suggested the idea of the U.S. obtaining a 50% stake in Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as part of an arrangement in exchange for the military assistance the U.S. has been providing since 2022. However, Zelenskyy stressed that any agreement related to Ukraine’s mineral resources must include security assurances from the U.S. “Assist us in safeguarding this asset, and we can mutually benefit financially,” Zelenskyy asserted. “Without the guarantee of security from the United States, I am of the opinion that the economic pact will not materialize. Equitability must prevail in all aspects,” Zelenskyy concluded.
