**Zelensky Warns Trump About Putin’s Intentions**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly told US President Donald Trump that Russian President Vladimir Putin is pretending to want a deal because he’s afraid of the US. This was according to Axios, which cited Ukrainian officials and other sources familiar with the call.
The phone conversation between Trump and Zelensky took place on February 12. During their talk, Trump claimed that both Zelensky and Putin “want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the war with Russia/Ukraine.” However, Zelensky expressed concerns about Trump’s decision to hold a separate call with Putin before speaking with him.
**US-Russia Talks on Peace**
In his conversation with Trump, Zelensky warned that Putin might not be genuinely interested in negotiations. He also mentioned that Putin told the US president he wants a deal only because he’s afraid of Trump’s strength. Trump seemed to acknowledge this possibility but still believed Putin was serious about the prospects for peace.
After their talk, Trump and Putin agreed that negotiations to end the war in Ukraine would start “immediately.” However, it remains unclear what specific steps will be taken towards achieving a peace deal.
**Ukraine’s Position on Negotiations**
A Ukrainian official denied that Ukraine would participate in joint talks with Russia and US representatives in Munich. They emphasized that any serious conversation about peace should involve Europe and have a coordinated position from both the US and EU.
**International Reaction**
European leaders are concerned that they might be left to shoulder the costs of post-war security and reconstruction in Ukraine, as they remain excluded from US-Russia talks on ending the war. The UK‘s Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated that NATO members agree there should be an irreversible path for Ukraine’s membership.
Meanwhile, Trump suggested that Russia could be readmitted into the Group of Seven (G7), calling its 2014 expulsion a “mistake.” This move has sparked concerns among European leaders about the implications on international relations and global governance.