UKRAINE President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned the West against trusting Vladimir Putin — amid fears his embattled nation is being frozen out of peace talks with Russia.
And he admitted playing second fiddle to the Russian invaders was “not very pleasant”.
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Mr Zelensky said he had “warned world leaders against trusting Putin’s claims of readiness to end the war”.
In a statement on X after speaking with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, he declared: “I emphasized that Ukraine must negotiate from a position of strength, with strong and reliable security guarantees.
“Nato membership would be the most cost-effective for partners. Another key guarantee is serious investment in Ukraine’s defence industry.”
Mr Zelensky was backed by allies including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who insisted that Ukraine must play a central role in negotiations to end the three-year conflict.
READ MORE ON TRUMP PEACE TALKS
On Wednesday night, US President Donald Trump announced immediate negotiations to end the war in Ukraine after speaking with Russian tyrant Putin by phone for 90 minutes.
But his defence secretary warned there was no prospect of Ukraine getting back territory stolen by Russia and the country was unlikely to join Nato.
Mr Trump later called Mr Zelensky to “inform him of the conversation” that he had with Putin.
The Ukrainian President yesterday claimed Mr Trump told him his original plan had been to speak to both himself and Putin at the same time.
Mr Zelensky said: “It is very important for us to maintain the support of the United States.
“But it’s not very pleasant . . . knowing how Ukrainian society and Europeans react — nothing about Ukraine must be decided without Ukraine.”
He said his priority now is a face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump and added: “After a plan to stop Putin has been worked out, I think it is fair to talk to the Russians.”
On his Truth Social online message platform, Mr Trump declared: “Great talks with Russia and Ukraine yesterday. Good possibility of ending that horrible, very bloody war!!!”
He also said he hoped to meet Putin face-to-face in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, European leaders fear that Russia will use any ceasefire as an excuse to rearm before a push to seize the rest of Ukraine.
PM Sir Keir yesterday warned that Britain will not support any peace deal which excludes Kyiv.
Downing Street also admitted that in the face of a new world order, where the US cannot guarantee security, all European nations must bolster armies.
No ‘backroom deal’
Ahead of a meeting at the Munich Security Conference between US Vice President JD Vance and Mr Zelensky, Sir Keir said: “Nobody wants the conflict to continue and Ukrainians — more than anybody — want the conflict to end. But we must make sure Ukraine is at the heart of this.
“There can’t be negotiations around Ukraine without Ukraine being at the heart of it. It’s really important that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position, whether that’s in discussions, or whether it’s continued fighting.”
And UK Defence Secretary John Healey reiterated “there can be no negotiation about Ukraine without Ukraine”. His US counterpart Pete Hegseth was yesterday forced to deny Mr Trump had done a backroom deal with Putin.
But he insisted any peace agreement would not include Nato membership for Ukraine or the return of Crimea and parts of the Donbas region, which were annexed by Russia in 2014.
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Mr Hegseth added: “There is no betrayal there. There is a recognition that the whole world and the United States is invested and interested in peace. That will require both sides recognising things they don’t want to.”
Labour’s Tan Dhesi, chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, cautioned that “Europe will now have to play a greater role in the defence of Ukraine and in guaranteeing Ukraine’s security”.
He said: “We count on the UK Government to show leadership in this.
“If we don’t support Ukraine, Russia will be emboldened.”
European allies have been stunned by Mr Trump’s attempts to make a deal.
Top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas insisted that no deal “behind our backs” could work, as she accused Washington DC of appeasement towards Russia.
She said: “Any quick fix is a dirty deal. It will just simply not work.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejected any “dictated peace” and his defence minister called it regrettable that Trump’s administration was already making concessions to the Kremlin.
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Nato chief Mark Rutte said it was crucial Kyiv was closely involved in any talks about the war in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said yesterday that Ukraine “will of course, one way or another, be taking part in the negotiations”.
But Mr Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton said: “I think Putin couldn’t be happier.
“I tell you, they’re drinking vodka straight out of the bottle in the Kremlin.
“It was a great day for Moscow.”
EU LOT ‘NEED TO PAY MORE’
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth yesterday accused Europe of failing to pay its way on defence.
He said in Brussels: “President Trump will not allow anyone to turn Uncle Sam into Uncle Sucker.”
The new Pentagon chief, left, praised Nato but said: “Partners must do far more for Europe’s defence. There is no replacement for hard power. Increasing European defence spending is critical.”
Labour has pledged to hit a target of 2.5 per cent of GDP.
