Ukraine has expressed concerns that Russia is not genuinely interested in ending the ongoing conflict and is instead attempting to weaken Kyiv’s negotiating stance by leveraging international leaders, including former U.S. President Donald Trump.
President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted that Moscow is acting like “bad actors,” creating a facade of credibility while lacking a true commitment to peace.
From his office in Kyiv, Zelensky emphasized that the Russian leadership is manipulating the international situation, particularly through outreach to Trump. These actions are seen as efforts to undermine Ukraine’s position and prolong the peace process.
“The attempts by dictator Putin to appear convincing and trustworthy are merely a theatrical performance,” Zelensky stated.
He further noted that Russia is trying to manipulate the global community and specific leaders without any real intention of concluding the war.
Ukraine continues to advocate for a serious approach to negotiations, asserting that Russia’s strategy involving Trump and other international figures only delays the cessation of hostilities and creates additional barriers to ending the conflict.
Additionally, Zelensky remarked on the actions of Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, regarding the disclosure of internal conflicts from 2022, describing them as highly inappropriate and not in line with diplomatic norms.
Looking ahead, Zelensky indicated that Ukraine’s allies should consider positioning their contingents closer to the front lines. He mentioned that France and the UK could each deploy a brigade of up to 5,000 troops, while several other nations have also expressed readiness to enhance their military presence in support of Ukraine.
Ukraine's leadership asserts that Russia is manipulating peace negotiations to weaken its position, using international figures like Donald Trump. President Zelensky emphasizes the need for serious discussions and increased military support from allies.