Ukraine’s survival at stake without U.S. support, warns Zelenskyy

Saturday 15 February 2025 - 10:37

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine’s chances of withstanding Russia’s aggression are slim without support from the United States. His remarks come after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to initiate negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the ongoing conflict.

In an interview with NBC News, Zelenskyy acknowledged the difficulties ahead, stating, “It will be very, very difficult. We will have a low chance to survive without support from the United States.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining the U.S.-Ukraine strategic partnership.

Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Putin’s intentions, suggesting that Russia seeks only a temporary ceasefire to ease sanctions and rebuild its military. He warned that without U.S. military assistance, Ukraine would be more vulnerable to Russian attacks.

The U.S. policy shift was evident when Trump revealed he had spoken separately with both Putin and Zelenskyy and expressed his intention to meet Putin soon for truce discussions. Trump also indicated skepticism about Ukraine’s NATO membership and doubted the possibility of Kyiv reclaiming all occupied territories.

During the Munich Security Conference, Zelenskyy met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, stressing Ukraine’s need for concrete security guarantees. “We want peace, but we need real security guarantees,” he stated. Vance acknowledged the U.S. objective of achieving a lasting peace and emphasized the importance of avoiding future conflicts in Eastern Europe.

Meanwhile, European allies insisted on being part of any negotiations, underscoring their security interests in the region. Currently, Russia occupies about 20% of Ukraine, a consequence of its full-scale invasion. Ukraine and its Western partners view Russia’s actions as an imperialist attempt to seize territory.