• Zelenskyy insists on Ukraine's involvement in any peace negotiations, while Trump initiates direct communication with Putin.
  • European allies express alarm over potential bilateral US-Russia talks that exclude Ukraine and NATO partners.
  • Russian officials and state media however, celebrate the diplomatic shift, viewing it as a victory for Putin's position

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has strongly opposed potential peace negotiations between former US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, insisting that Ukraine must be included in any discussions about its future.

Speaking at the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant on Thursday, Zelenskyy emphasized that his country would not accept any agreements made without their participation.

"We cannot accept it, as an independent country, any agreements without us," he stated, adding that the primary objective was to "not allow everything to go according to Putin's plan."

The situation has sparked concern among European allies. Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the need for collective action, stating "Ukraine, Europe and the United States should work on this together. TOGETHER."

The development comes after Trump held separate calls with both Putin and Zelenskyy, signaling a dramatic shift in US policy toward the nearly three-year-old conflict.

Russian officials have welcomed this diplomatic turn, with the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressing approval of the current US administration's position.

Russian state media has taken a triumphant tone, suggesting that the previous diplomatic principle of "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine" may no longer hold.

Meanwhile, on the ground, Ukrainian military personnel face critical challenges. An anonymous officer revealed that current ammunition stocks might only last two to three weeks, highlighting the urgent need for continued Western support regardless of diplomatic developments.

The situation has created tension within NATO and the European Union, with some nations, particularly those bordering Russia, expressing alarm about being potentially sidelined in negotiations that could affect regional security.

Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna emphasized the importance of maintaining Western unity and continuing support for Ukraine.

Edited By Annette George