President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Friday, Nov. 6, that US President Donald Trump’s proposed security agreement with Russia, potentially covering all of Europe, could be dangerous and risks dividing the continent into spheres of influence.
“We don’t want to have Yalta 2.0,” Zelensky told CNN’s Jake Tapper, referring to the 1945 conference at which Allied leaders discussed Europe’s postwar order.
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“We don’t want to be divided by Russia,” he added.
His warning came a day after Trump met Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev at the White House and predicted a major agreement extending beyond Ukraine.
“It’s going to involve more than Ukraine, and I could even say it might involve all of Europe,” Trump told reporters Thursday.
Trump’s son-in-law and envoy Jared Kushner subsequently said Washington was working on a broader European security framework ahead of US-mediated talks between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10-11.
Zelensky said he learned of the proposal during a phone call with Kushner and US envoy Steve Witkoff while discussing preparations for the negotiations.
“For me, it’s not simple, and it can be dangerous,” he said.
He insisted that negotiations must first focus on ending Russia’s war, followed by security guarantees for Ukraine, before any broader arrangements between Europe and Moscow are considered.
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Zelensky questioned why Russia should be involved in reshaping European security when it has shown no willingness to stop fighting.
He said Ukraine would support a full ceasefire or a limited truce covering energy infrastructure or maritime operations, but Moscow had offered no meaningful signs of readiness.
He also warned that the proposed framework posed an even greater threat to the EU, stressing that Ukraine, although geographically part of Europe, remains outside both the EU and NATO.
Zelensky also rejected territorial concessions despite Trump’s previous suggestions that a settlement could involve land exchanges.
“We are not ready to leave Donbas, to give our territory,” he said.
“Even the territory which is temporarily occupied, it’s temporarily occupied. It’s not Russian territory. Nobody will recognize it.”
He stressed that sovereignty and territorial integrity must remain fundamental principles of any agreement.
Trump’s remarks on Russian attacks ‘very painful’
Zelensky expressed disappointment over Trump’s recent remarks minimizing Russian attacks, made shortly after a strike in Kharkiv killed a schoolteacher and her one-year-old daughter.
“This is very painful for all of us,” Zelensky said.
“We really want to hear other words,” he added, stressing that Ukrainians were dying while defending their freedom.
He said Washington’s statements and military assistance could influence Putin’s willingness to negotiate.
“The words from the United States are very important. Support is very important,” Zelensky said.
Zelensky also defended Ukraine’s military response to Russia’s invasion, saying he did not mourn Russian soldiers killed while occupying Ukrainian territory and attacking civilians.
He argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin bore responsibility for sending them into Ukraine.
Zelensky hopes Democratic Congress will increase support
Zelensky welcomed the Democrats’ takeover of both chambers of Congress following the US midterm elections, expressing hope that the results would strengthen bipartisan support for Ukraine.
He said he expected incoming Democratic lawmakers to take a clearer position against Russian aggression and territorial concessions.
“We really count that bipartisan support will increase. We really need it,” Zelensky said.
The president also emphasized the urgency of additional air defense missiles as Russia intensifies attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure ahead of winter.
Zelensky also said he remained willing to meet Putin in the US, Europe or another neutral location, but ruled out traveling to Moscow.
He expressed confidence that Trump could use his relationship with Putin to push the Kremlin toward negotiations.
“Trump can do it. He is the president of the United States,” Zelensky said.
The remarks came as European officials rejected proposals to reshape the continent’s security arrangements without their participation.
Speaking in Warsaw on Friday, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Putin had no veto over European security, while Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha insisted that any settlement must involve both Ukraine and Europe.
Source: www.kyivpost.com
