As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said just a few days ago, his country is going through the hardest period in its history. Specifically, he noted the challenges coming from the still-ongoing diplomatic talks since the start of Russia’s full-scale, brutal war. After a bizarrely conciliatory phone call with former U.S. President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy sent an alarmingly tepid message. In his remarks, he underscored that Ukraine would never agree to peace conditions that undermined its sovereignty.
Zelenskyy’s comments come at an important inflection point. Though Ukraine has stood up to almost four years of full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s leadership has to contend with pressures from international allies and internal issues—including a recent corruption scandal that has imperiled some of his highest-ranking officials. We were very impressed with the president’s laying down of his own commitment to work with Washington on their proposals. He outlined some ways to ensure that Ukraine’s independence remains vibrant.
“We did not betray Ukraine then [in 2022], and we will not do so now,” Zelenskyy asserted, indicating his determination to navigate the difficult path ahead while honoring the sacrifices made by Ukrainians. He paid tribute to those who have boldly confronted the never-ending war. He pressed the moral imperative to always protect national integrity in the face of outside influence.
Following their chat with Trump, Zelenskyy had extensive talks with U.S. Vice-President JD Vance. Vance is perhaps most famous for his outspokenness in support of a negotiated deal with Russia. The discussion underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play. Zelenskyy seemed to imply that, heroism aside, compromises are inevitable if peace is to be reached.
Zelenskyy posted on Telegram that the diplomatic meetings and phone calls are occurring nearly every hour. He urged sector stakeholders to keep working on problems that can yield the most powerful positive impact on the world. Thankfully, his outreach does not stop at America’s borders. He has worked closely with European leaders, including France’s President Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, to bolster solidarity among allies.
Zelenskyy applauded the U.S. diplomatic efforts. He reiterated that any peace agreement needs to be resilient enough to withstand future aggressions that Russia may pursue. He asserted that peace must be genuine, not to be endangered by future incursions. “If you just give in to the aggression, then you invite more aggression,” remarked Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, echoing sentiments shared by various leaders on the importance of resilience in the face of external threats.
These continued discussions have put Zelenskyy in an unprecedented amount of pressure and scrutiny domestically as well. The corruption scandal has thrown the integrity of his administration into doubt, injecting pressure as he manages a delicate hand on international negotiations. In this new context, Zelenskyy’s leadership and decision-making takes on an even greater importance.
In addition to emphasizing the obvious point that Ukraine should determine its own future, Zelenskyy noted a broader principle at work here. “That’s what the president of America wants. That’s what we all want, and so we need to work from where we are to that end,” stated Keir Starmer, leader of the UK’s Labour Party, reinforcing the notion that Ukraine’s sovereignty is non-negotiable.