Zelenskyy Urges Trump’s Stronger Support, Criticizes Ukraine’s Exclusion from Peace Talks
ANKARA – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed disappointment over Ukraine’s exclusion from US-Russia negotiations while urging US President Donald Trump to take a firmer stance in support of Kyiv.
Speaking at Ankara Esenboga Airport after a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Zelenskyy emphasized that many American lawmakers back Ukraine and that he does not want to lose this bipartisan support. He also criticized ongoing efforts to reintegrate Russian President Vladimir Putin into global diplomacy, warning that any peace deal without Ukraine’s participation lacks legitimacy.
Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine must be directly involved in any negotiations, highlighting that the war is being fought on Ukrainian soil, with Ukrainians suffering the consequences. He underscored the need for a just and sustainable peace, advocating for security guarantees beyond a temporary ceasefire.
He also discussed European representation in the talks, mentioning recent discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron on the matter. Meanwhile, his meeting with Erdogan focused on defense cooperation, prisoner exchanges, and strengthening economic ties, with Türkiye continuing its support through arms collaboration and naval construction projects.
Addressing Ukraine’s geopolitical ambitions, Zelenskyy reaffirmed the country’s commitment to joining the European Union and NATO, criticizing the lack of security guarantees in recent US proposals on rare earth minerals.
He asserted that Ukraine must receive fair returns for its natural resources and vowed not to let the country become a mere supplier of raw materials. With much of Ukraine’s resource-rich territories under Russian control, he called for their liberation, emphasizing that his duty as president is to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and economic independence.
