Vance’s remarks seemed to offer the most robust reassurance yet from the Trump administration regarding U.S. backing for Kyiv. Trump, he emphasized, would not approach peace negotiations with tunnel vision; rather, he would enter the talks with an open mind and a willingness to explore all possibilities. Friday’s security summit arrives amidst mounting apprehensions about potential actions Russia might take in the event of a victory in Ukraine, especially in light of Trump’s insinuations that the U.S. may not come to the defense of NATO allies in the event of an attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made it clear that Ukraine will not accept any peace agreement brokered solely between the U.S. and Russia. “Ukraine must engage in negotiations from a position of strength, with firm and dependable security assurances, and NATO membership would present the most beneficial solution for all parties involved,” Zelenskyy asserted in a post on X. Last year, NATO members had signaled that Ukraine was on an “irreversible path” toward eventual membership in the alliance. However, both Trump and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have hinted that NATO accession and Ukraine reclaiming lost territories are effectively off the table. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned any peace dialogue that excludes the participation of Ukrainians and Europeans. “A superficial peace, negotiated without the involvement of Ukrainians and Europeans, would yield no tangible benefits,” Baerbock stated in a release as the security conference commenced. “Such a hollow peace would not ensure lasting security, neither for the citizens of Ukraine nor for us in Europe or the United States,” she continued, as reported by Reuters. Baerbock called for discussions among U.S. and international partners to take place at the Munich conference, an annual gathering of political, military, and diplomatic leaders. Trump’s own defense secretary, Hegseth, stressed the necessity for Europe to take the lead in bringing an end to the brutal conflict, underscoring that U.S. troops would not participate in any peacekeeping mission and that it would be the responsibility of European powers to finance security guarantees for Ukraine. On Thursday, Trump stated that Ukraine would be included in talks with Russia, providing some degree of assurance. Russia, on its part, indicated that Ukraine would “certainly” be engaged in discussions to conclude the war but also mentioned the existence of a separate U.S.-Russian dialogue, as per reports from Reuters. Nevertheless, remarks from the president expressing sympathy with Moscow’s perspective, acknowledging Russia’s sacrifices in the conflict, have heightened worries about the potential for a deal favoring Russia to be struck without input from Kyiv and European leaders. Zelenskyy was set to meet with Vance on Friday at the Munich Security Conference, where the quest for peace in Ukraine would be a central focus.
