Munich, Germany – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused the United States of prioritizing potential concessions from Ukraine over applying pressure on Russia to end the ongoing war, a sentiment voiced during the Munich Security Conference on . Zelenskyy’s remarks come as Ukraine, Russia, and the US prepare for another round of trilateral peace talks next week, and follow calls from former US President Donald Trump for Kyiv to accelerate negotiations.
Addressing key allies in Munich, Zelenskyy stated, “The Americans often return to the topic of concessions,” adding, “Too often those concessions are discussed in the context only of Ukraine, not Russia.” This criticism highlights a growing frustration in Kyiv regarding what it perceives as an unbalanced approach to the peace process, one that places undue emphasis on Ukrainian compromise while failing to adequately address Russian actions and demands.
The first trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the US were held last month, with further discussions scheduled for . Zelenskyy expressed hope that these upcoming meetings will be “serious, substantive, and helpful for all of us,” but conceded that “sometimes it feels like the sides are talking about completing different things.” This suggests a fundamental disconnect in objectives and expectations among the negotiating parties.
Trump’s recent urging of Zelenskyy to “get moving” and his assertion that Russia is “ready to make a deal” appear to have added to the pressure felt by the Ukrainian president. Zelenskyy acknowledged feeling “a little bit” of pressure in response to Trump’s comments, as relayed by conference moderator Christiane Amanpour.
Beyond the immediate issue of concessions, Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s need for robust security guarantees from the United States. He indicated that Ukraine is seeking a legally binding agreement spanning a minimum of 20 years, outlining specific US assistance for a planned European reassurance force to be stationed within Ukraine in the event of a peace accord. The US has reportedly offered a 15-year guarantee thus far, a proposal Kyiv deems insufficient.
Zelenskyy also raised concerns about the composition of the Russian negotiating delegation, noting a recent change in leadership. He expressed apprehension that this shift might indicate a Russian strategy of delaying tactics rather than a genuine commitment to finding a resolution. He also questioned the lack of European involvement in the negotiations, stating, “That’s a big mistake, in my opinion,” and echoed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The Ukrainian president also addressed the issue of domestic elections, stating that any vote could only be held two months after a ceasefire is declared to ensure the safety of voters. This position directly responds to US pressure for elections to be held by .
During his address, Zelenskyy detailed discussions with a bipartisan group of US senators, focusing on security guarantees and increased sanctions against Russia. He expressed gratitude for the “unwavering bipartisan support” from the US Senate.
The situation is further complicated by the ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, which Zelenskyy stated have left no energy plant within Ukraine unscathed. He intends to raise this issue during the upcoming talks in Geneva.
European leaders, however, appear pessimistic about the prospects for a swift diplomatic breakthrough, with a prevailing view that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet reached the point of economic or military exhaustion. Some analysts predict at least another two years of conflict, with Europe possessing the resources to sustain Ukraine for that duration.
Zelenskyy also launched a strong condemnation of Iran for providing Shahed drones to Russia, which he said are being used to kill Ukrainian citizens and destroy critical infrastructure. He argued that allowing Iran time to continue its current course of action will only lead to further destruction and loss of life, calling for immediate action to halt the regime’s activities. He pointed to the ongoing protests in Iran, with as many as 200,000 demonstrators in Munich, as evidence of widespread discontent with the current government.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a proposition to work in partnership with Europe, but stressed that this cooperation was contingent on meeting specific US conditions related to climate change, migration, and tariffs. Rubio indicated that the US was prepared to rebuild the world order independently if those conditions were not met, but expressed a preference for collaboration with European allies.
Notably, Rubio’s speech made limited reference to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, focusing instead on pressing India to cease importing Russian oil – a claim disputed by Russia. This relative lack of focus on Ukraine has fueled concerns about the US’s long-term commitment to the conflict and its alignment with European priorities.
Details of a potential “prosperity plan” involving US access to Ukrainian mineral resources remain under discussion, according to Zelenskyy. The outcome of these negotiations, and the broader question of security guarantees, will be crucial in determining the future trajectory of the conflict and Ukraine’s relationship with its key international partners.
