Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized recent US comments on the Ukraine conflict, claiming that the United States was attempting to “please” Moscow in its efforts to resolve the war.
In an interview broadcast on Monday, February 17, Zelensky responded to remarks made by US officials, suggesting they were being overly conciliatory towards Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“The US is now saying things that are very favourable to Putin… because they want to please him,” Zelensky stated, referring to efforts by the US to secure a quick resolution to the conflict.
Zelensky dismissed the notion of a ceasefire as a victory, emphasizing that Ukraine would not accept any agreement simply for the sake of ending the conflict. “What they want — ‘just a ceasefire’ — is not a win,” he said, stressing the importance of securing Ukraine’s territorial integrity. He also rejected the idea of ceding any territory that Russia has seized, asserting, “We will reclaim it all.”
In the interview, recorded during the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky also expressed concerns about Europe’s military capabilities, warning that the continent would be vulnerable without the security support of the United States. He described Europe as “weak” in terms of troop strength, combat readiness, and military infrastructure, stating that Europe’s position had not improved significantly in recent years.
Zelensky also stressed the crucial role of US support for Ukraine’s resilience in the face of Russian aggression. While Ukraine had become more resilient over the past three years, Zelensky emphasized that a Ukrainian victory would not be possible without continued US assistance. He further discussed the possibility of deploying foreign troops to oversee a ceasefire in the future, suggesting that US involvement would be vital to maintain unity among Ukraine’s allies.
When asked if he would step down for the sake of peace, Zelensky said he was willing to do anything necessary to secure Ukraine’s future, including stepping down if the country were to gain membership in the EU and NATO and receive security guarantees. “If tomorrow Ukraine were accepted into the EU and NATO, if Russian troops were to withdraw and we got security guarantees, I wouldn’t be needed anymore,” he added.
