NATO Split as Zelenskyy Warns of US Shift

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a stark warning at the Munich Security Conference this week, declaring that “the days of guaranteed US support for Europe are over.” His remarks followed revelations that former President Donald Trump held private talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, sidelining Kyiv and European allies. Zelenskyy called for a unified European army and foreign policy, stressing that reliance on Washington is no longer viable.

The Ukrainian leader criticized Trump’s decision to prioritize dialogue with Putin, noting that the US president’s first post-election call was with the Kremlin, not Kyiv. “Putin is afraid of Trump,” Zelenskyy quipped, but warned that excluding Ukraine from negotiations risks legitimizing Russian aggression.

NATO Allies Demand Inclusion in Peace Talks

European leaders scrambled to respond to Trump’s shifting strategy. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized that “no decisions about Ukraine should be made without Ukraine,” while German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius insisted Europe must have a seat at the table. UK Defense Secretary John Healey echoed: “Ukraine’s voice must be at the heart of any talks.”

Despite these demands, Trump’s envoy Keith Kellogg confirmed Europe would not participate directly in peace negotiations, though their views would be “considered”. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth further roiled allies by declaring Ukraine’s NATO membership “unrealistic” and dismissing the return to pre-2014 borders as a “fantasy”.

Trump’s Contradictory Signals Deepen Crisis

The White House’s mixed messaging has left Kyiv and NATO reeling. While Vice President JD Vance hinted at deploying US troops as “leverage,” Hegseth ruled out American soldiers on the ground, urging Europe to shoulder Ukraine’s defense. Trump later backtracked, assuring Zelenskyy that Ukraine would “of course” be included in talks—a pledge met with skepticism.

Meanwhile, Moscow relishes the chaos. A Russian drone strike on Chernobyl’s protective shield this week underscored the escalating violence, even as Trump praised Putin’s use of his “common sense” slogan.

War Toll Mounts as Diplomacy Falters

With frontline casualties nearing 5,000 in recent weeks, Zelenskyy accused Putin of using negotiations as a “game” to isolate Ukraine. The Kremlin, however, insists it seeks peace, claiming Kyiv’s exclusion from early talks was a “misunderstanding”.

European leaders warn that sidelining Kyiv could embolden Putin to seize more territory. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged an “urgent action plan,” stressing: “Global players will decide Europe’s future if we don’t act”  .

What Comes Next?

Trump and Putin are expected to meet in Saudi Arabia soon, though Zelenskyy has yet to secure a face-to-face with the US president. Kyiv’s plea for weapons and funding grows desperate as US aid wavers. “Without NATO, we need an army as large as Russia’s,” Zelenskyy stated.

As NATO grapples with internal divisions, the world watches whether Trump’s “roadmap” leads to peace—or deeper conflict.