Zelensky Reportedly Told Trump That Putin Is Faking A Peace Deal: ‘He’s Afraid Of You’
AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned President Donald Trump that Russia’s Vladimir Putin is only pretending to want peace in Ukraine because he is “afraid of you.”
During a phone call on Wednesday, Zelensky told Trump that Putin is not sincere about his willingness to negotiate a peace deal, according to Axios, which cited a Ukrainian official and three other sources familiar with the call.
Trump spoke with Putin earlier this week, and the two leaders agreed to visit their respective countries. Moreover, they discussed on the call beginning negotiations to end the war in Ukraine through a diplomatic process.
“Putin told you he wants a deal only because he is afraid of you, because you are strong,” Zelensky told Trump. The president responded by telling Zelenskyy he could be right, but he believes Putin is serious about ending the war, adding, “We will know soon.”
“I need to talk to Putin in order to save Ukraine,” Trump also told Zelensky, per Axios, before asking the Ukraine leader if Zelensky is still committed to getting a peace deal.
Some NATO allies believe that Trump may be pressuring Zelensky to accept a peace deal even if it does not include NATO membership for Ukraine and provides Ukrainian territory to Russia. Trump told Zelensky during the call that a future deal could involve European peacekeeping forces along the front with Russia.
Trump, along with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, also ruled out sending U.S. troops to guarantee Ukraine’s security.
