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Feb
UKRAINE WAR: ZELENSKY WARNS AGAINST TRUSTING PUTIN AS RUSSIA SIGNALS READINESS FOR PEACE TALKS
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Nicolas Adekeye / 3 weeks
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- 2 min read
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed readiness to engage in peace talks with Ukraine, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains skeptical, warning world leaders against trusting Putin’s claims. Zelensky emphasized the need for Ukraine to “negotiate from a position of strength, with strong and reliable security guarantees” in a statement on X. Following a conversation with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Zelensky reiterated that “NATO membership would be the most cost-effective for partners. Another key guarantee is serious investment in Ukraine’s defence industry.” Zelensky’s stance comes after Putin’s announcement that Ukraine will “of course” be involved in any peace deal negotiations. Donald Trump, who spoke with Putin on Wednesday, stated that there is a “good possibility” to bring the war to an end, with talks potentially starting “immediately.” However, Zelensky’s caution is shared by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who insisted that Ukraine must be involved in talks and that Putin must not be allowed to “grab another square mile” of Ukrainian territory. Russia’s Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, acknowledged that negotiations will involve elements that neither Moscow nor Kyiv wants, while urging NATO allies in Brussels to increase defence spending. The developments come nearly three years after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, following its annexation of Crimea in 2014.
