Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on Friday that the chances of Ukraine’s survival would be significantly diminished without the continued support of the United States, as President Donald Trump calls for peace negotiations to bring an end to the nearly three-year conflict.
Speaking to NBC News, Zelenskyy admitted that it is always a possibility but the chances of Ukraine’s survival without American support would be “very low.” He reasserted the imperative of sustaining the strong strategic alliance with Washington.
The Ukrainian president also warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not going to stop the war. Rather, Putin allegedly only wants a temporary ceasefire to decrease sanctions and give Russia time to restore its military power. He also worried that if the US does not continue to offer assistance, the military forces of Ukraine would be exposed to Russian expansion.
On Munich Security Conference, Zelenskyy had also a meeting with American Vice President JD Vance under whom he needed assurances of security in the sense of America’s continued support. During their first meeting, again, Zelenskyy made the appeal for “actual security guarantees” and requested the White House to enter into further negotiations before it signs any peace treaty.
Vance called their meeting productive and reasserted the US government’s vision for securing long-lasting peace in Eastern Europe. “We want a durable, lasting peace and not a quick fix that ultimately contributes to war in the future,” Vance said.
At the same time, Russia reported on Saturday that its forces have occupied the village of Berezivka in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region. Strategically placed close to a road connecting major mining center of Pokrovsk with Kostiantynivka, the village was actually confirmed to be occupied by Russian Defense Ministry as Moscow continues with its territorial successes in eastern Ukraine.
