Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky has set a firm precondition for any peace talk with Russian leader, Vladimir Putin. President Zelenskyy, who spoke on Friday during a meeting with journalists in Munich, as reported by a European Pravda correspondent revealed that before any negotiation with the Russian president, Ukraine and US must have first agreed on a common approach to negotiations.
Zylenskiy highlighted the crucial role of President Trump in ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. But the Ukrainian president is concerned about a probable shift in American policy on the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Concerns over Shifting US Policy and the Putin-Trump Call
This concern stems from recent developments, most notably a private phone call between Putin and US President Donald Trump. Trump had also earlier in the week disrupted years of unwavering US support for Ukraine raising both EU and Ukraine concern
Unexpected Communication and a Direct Line
Despite these concerns, Zelenskyy revealed an unexpected development: Trump provided him with his personal phone number before the Munich Security Conference on Friday. The significance of this direct line of communication remains unclear but potentially indicates a willingness to engage on the issue from Trump’s perspective.
Conclusion
President Zelenskyy’s insistence on a pre-negotiation agreement with the US underscores the critical importance of sustained American support for Ukraine. The recent events, particularly the Putin-Trump call and Trump’s past statements, have highlighted the fragility of this support and the potential risks to any peace process. The unexpected communication between Zelenskyy and Trump adds a layer of complexity to the situation, leaving the future trajectory of negotiations uncertain, but undeniably highlighting the central role the US will play in any potential resolution.