Zelensky on Trump-Putin talks: 'Talk to Ukraine first'

It is "very important" that US President Donald Trump consults Ukraine before he enters into peace talks with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasizes. He wants to prevent the fate of his country from being decided outside of Ukraine.

Trump reported earlier this week that he had already called his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. In an interview with The Guardian on Tuesday, Zelensky did not criticize that phone call. He also did not respond to statements made by Trump about a possible deal and the future of Ukraine. Trump "clearly does not really want everyone to know the details, and that is his own decision," he said in the British newspaper.

Zelensky is expected to meet US Vice President JD Vance on Friday and will also meet Trump himself later this week. Trump's Ukraine envoy has been busy with diplomacy for days. More clarity about their peace plans is expected to become clear at an important security conference in Munich at the end of the week, where Vance and Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg are among those attending.

'Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine'

Ukraine's European allies, like Kiev itself, are insisting that the major powers should not negotiate over Ukraine's head. "Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine" is the constant slogan. The US also used it until Trump took office. European countries fear that Trump, who previously showed understanding for Russian complaints and wishes and is looking for a quick deal, will hand Ukraine over to Russia too much.