Zelenskyy dismisses Trump’s peace plan as ‘dangerous’

“For me, it’s not simple. And it can even be dangerous,” Zelenskyy stated in a CNN interview, a portion of which was released prior to the full broadcast. He emphasized the need to first address how to end the ongoing war, followed by securing security guarantees for Ukraine, and only then discussing a new European security architecture.

Zelenskyy wrote on the platform X that discussions should first focus on ending the war, then securing guarantees, and finally addressing a new European security architecture.

He noted Ukraine’s readiness for a ceasefire and de-escalation, but highlighted the lack of signals indicating a shift from Moscow. “Therefore, it is dangerous when they do not talk about how the war will be ended. Russia wants to start with the new security structure in Europe,” he said.

Trump has been promoting a “big deal” – a largely undefined peace plan encompassing Europe and Russia – since Thursday. His son-in-law and advisor, Jared Kushner, described the envisioned security order as based on communication, military transparency, and reduced escalation risks on X. Kushner previously discussed potential security guarantees for Ukraine with European partners, NATO, and the EU in Brussels.

Kushner’s framework draws parallels to the 1975 Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) and the 1997 NATO-Russia Founding Act, agreements reached during periods of negotiation without active conflict.

A meeting between Ukrainian and Russian representatives, mediated by the United States, is scheduled for next week in Abu Dhabi. Trump intends to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in China. He has also extended a personal invitation to Putin for the G20 summit in Florida.

Zelenskyy cautioned against agreements among major powers that would disadvantage the EU, NATO, and Ukraine. “We all live in Europe. We don’t want a Yalta, no second Yalta,” he said, referencing the 1945 Yalta Conference where the Soviet Union, the United States, and Great Britain divided Germany and Europe into spheres of influence, excluding other European nations.