The announcement by Donald Trump of peace conversations between the United States and Russia has sent shockwaves through Ukraine, with many expressing fear and indignation at the prospect of being betrayed by a key partner. The US has labeled the return of occupied territories as “unrealistic” and ruled out Ukraine’s membership in NATO, leading to concerns that Ukraine will be excluded from conversations about its own fate. Oksana, a 38-year-old medical professional from Leopolis, whose brother is fighting in the east, sums up the sentiment: “It seems that as an unjustly attacked country, we now have to do everything possible to appease criminals, while Putin will emerge as a winner and have no responsibility for all the evil that he brought upon our people.”
Reactions in Ukraine
Many Ukrainians have taken to social media to express their outrage and disappointment at the US’s stance, with some accusing Trump of being naive or even colluding with Putin. Mikola Bilieskov, a Ukrainian military analyst, considers it “terrifying” that Trump’s team seems to be trying to reach an agreement with Russia at the expense of Ukraine’s safety. He warns that Russia would violate any promises made, and such a plan would not be accepted by Ukrainians. Others point out that Russia has already been appeased at the expense of Ukraine several times, suffering few consequences after the annexation of Crimea and the instigation of the war in the Donbas in 2014.
Ukraine’s Position
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski has stated that there can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine’s involvement. “I say it very clearly to our partners: we will not accept any bilateral negotiation about Ukraine without us,” he said. While he opted for a pragmatic tone, noting that he does not believe Trump prioritizes Russia and Putin over Ukraine, he emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s participation in any peace talks. Zelenski also awaits a signal from the Europeans, reiterating that before talking with Putin, the Ukrainians and their partners should have a peace plan.
Europe’s Role
Many experts believe that Europe’s involvement is crucial in resolving the conflict. Illia Ponomarenko, a military correspondent, states that for Europe, it is essential that Ukraine, with its experience and war capacity, is part of the new European security system. He warns that if Ukraine falls, Putin’s appetite will only grow, and Europe will have difficulty defending itself without the Ukrainian army. President Zelenski also emphasized the importance of European support, saying that Ukraine will be in the European Union and that Europeans have helped Ukraine a lot. According to Zelenski, Ukraine and Europe currently cover 80% of the cost of the war, while 20% is contributed by the United States.
Future Prospects
Despite the concerns and uncertainties, Ukraine hopes to maintain the greatest possible support in the United States. Trump has confirmed that he has no intention of stopping support to Ukraine completely. Ukraine also hopes to offer the US critical minerals and other resources, which could help in the next few days after Zelenski’s meetings with Trump’s team. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Ukraine will not renounce its sovereign territories or its future adherence to NATO, and it will continue to defend itself against Russian aggression.