Zelenskyy says he will not meet Putin until a common plan to end the war is reached with Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin can only happen after a plan to end the war in Ukraine is reached with US President Donald Trump.

Zelenskyy made the remarks as he sat down with US Vice President JD Vance in Munich as the pair attend the Munich Security Conference.

The Ukrainian leader says his country needs more assurances before a peace deal can be made possible, particularly, security guarantees. He also stressed a need for Europe to be involved in any potential peace talks.

“Because we are talking about security guarantees as the main point in any document on the cessation of war or the end of the war, security guarantees for Ukraine, for the whole of Europe, and Ukraine is already part of Europe and will be part of an equal European Union,” said Zelenskyy.

He also added that any deal must be negotiated with Trump himself, and not a delegation or representatives. Zelenskyy believes that the 47th US president is the key to ending the Russian invasion of his country, and expressed his gratitude for past US support – under the Biden administration – and desire for continued support.

“We need the strong support of a strong country, the United States, a strong President (Donald) Trump, we need his support and we need him to be on our side,” added Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy explained that there is no need for any direct involvement on his part with Putin, or a need for mediation.

“It’s not two countries fighting each other, but Russia bringing war to our land and we are defending it, I think, with honour.”

He also dismissed speculations that a deal can be reached or signed on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

“A peace agreement cannot be signed in Munich, because this is Munich and the president (Donald Trump) is not here. And we remember the things that have already been signed here,” noted Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy’s meeting with JD Vance was described by the Ukrainian leader as “productive”. The pair met with their respective delegations to begin communication and explore ways to bring the war to an end.

After the meeting, in an address to the media, Zelenskyy said that this was the first in what he hopes will be many constructive meetings with US officials. He also expressed his nation’s desire to strike a peace deal but stressed that security guarantees must be delivered first.

He also shared that he spoke with President Trump and discussed the need to protect Ukraine, for its resources.

“If we talk pragmatically, not only about the defence of Europe, although I think that the defence of Europe is the priority and people are the priority, but we can also talk about it pragmatically from a financial point of view”, said the Ukrainian president.

Zelenskyy says it’s in Washington’s best interest to preserve Ukraine’s freedom as to ensure its natural resources don’t land into the hand of the occupying Russia and its allies.

The Ukrainian leader also held meetings with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa to discuss strengthening sanctions pressure on Russia, and the preparation of a 16th EU sanctions package.