MUNICH – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared on February 15 that Ukraine would never accept any peace deal reached behind its back or without its direct involvement—an implicit warning to US President Donald Trump amid his efforts to negotiate an end to the war with Russia.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky also urged Europe to establish its own armed forces, arguing that Ukraine’s military alone was insufficient to guarantee the continent’s security.
“Ukraine will never accept deals made behind our backs without our involvement. And the same rule should apply to all of Europe,” Zelensky stated.
His remarks came after Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week, their first conversation since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Trump and Putin reportedly discussed a potential future meeting, likely in Saudi Arabia.
Ukraine has repeatedly emphasized the need for a unified strategy with the US and Europe before any Trump-Putin negotiations take place. However, some European allies fear the Trump administration may make concessions to Putin at Ukraine’s expense, causing uncertainty over Washington’s stance.
Zelensky also speculated that the Kremlin might try to persuade Trump to attend Russia’s May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow, a military spectacle commemorating the Soviet victory in World War II.
He warned European leaders of potential Russian aggression, questioning whether their armies would be prepared for an open or “false-flag” attack. “If this war ends the wrong way, Putin will have a surplus of battle-tested soldiers who know nothing but killing and looting,” Zelensky cautioned, citing intelligence reports that suggest Russia will send troops to Belarus this summer.
“As we fight this war and lay the groundwork for peace and security, we must build the Armed Forces of Europe,” he urged, emphasizing the need for the continent to take greater control of its own defense.