Staff Reports
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent comments have stirred the pot, implying that it would be “more dangerous” for President Donald Trump to chat up Vladimir Putin before addressing Ukraine’s concerns. This eyebrow-raising proclamation suggests Zelensky is trying to juggle a complex relationship with both American political parties while also pleading for continued support in his fight against the Russian bear.
It seems Zelensky is still smarting from his breakup with Joe Biden and now feels the need to school Trump—who, to put it mildly, actually managed to get hostages out of Gaza, end a war, and abstain from starting new ones—on the intricacies of peace negotiations. This is the same guy who supposedly needs a refresher on foreign policy from a leader who has managed to hold his own against the mighty Putin. The irony is thick enough to cut with a knife.
President Zelensky says he is not happy that President Trump talked to Russia about bringing peace before Ukraine.
It's up to Russia, not Ukraine, if there is going to be a deal. He is coming across as ungrateful! pic.twitter.com/cB3aIkdT80
— Brandon Johnson (@Patriot_45_) February 15, 2025
Zelensky made some noise about being left out of peace talks with Russia, whining that this exclusion was “dangerous.” In his opinion, a chat between Trump and Putin before discussing Ukraine’s predicament would set off alarm bells. He emphasized that any conversation about peace should involve Europe because, heaven forbid, anyone forgets that Ukraine sees its future tied to the EU—because economically speaking, the European Union is a stronghold of fiscal responsibility, and not just the ongoing inflation crisis.
Adding fuel to the fire, Trump revealed that both Zelensky and Putin are hankering for peace during their conversations with him. This is a refreshing twist since it suggests that both leaders might have a better grasp on their mutual interests than some might assume. Meanwhile, plans emerged for high-ranking foreign policy aides from Trump’s administration to rendezvous with Putin soon, presumably with a side of hummus in Saudi Arabia, to explore how to end the stalemate over Ukraine.
On a more concerning note, during an NBC interview, Zelensky spun a yarn about a possible Putin war against NATO countries. He trotted out his fear-mongering with statements regarding Russian military activities in Belarus, as if he’s been living in a spy novel. He believes Putin is just waiting to strike at NATO, naming Poland and Lithuania as potential targets. Zelensky further warned that a reduction in U.S. military presence in Europe could pave the way for increased aggression from Russia, nudging NATO toward vulnerability—ironically invoking fears that one could argue might be more productive in keeping defense budgets high than in fostering real security or cooperation.
As Zelensky navigates these turbulent waters, his diplomatic maneuvers echo the ages-old dance of power politics. The backlash to his comments reveals a growing tension, not only with Trump but perhaps also within the broader geopolitical landscape. In the end, it remains to be seen whether Zelensky will manage to balance his demands with the realities of an administration looking to cut its losses and bring troops home.
