Zelensky tells Trump: Putin's peace talk is a bluff
Volodymyr Zelensky told Donald Trump during a Wednesday phone call that Putin is only pretending to want to negotiate a peace deal because he is afraid of him. This information comes from a portal citing sources close to the Ukrainian president.
Wednesday's phone calls between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky initiated diplomatic efforts to pressure an agreement to end the war in Ukraine, reports the Axios portal.
The portal notes that the American leader's move has raised concerns among some NATO allies. They worry that Trump might press Zelensky into talks while rejecting some of his probable demands.
Meanwhile, details of one of these calls have leaked. Axios cites its sources in Kyiv, revealing what Zelensky allegedly told Trump.
According to these sources, while Trump told Zelensky that he got the impression that Putin wants an agreement, the Ukrainian president expressed skepticism about his Russian counterpart's intentions. Zelensky believes that Putin is simply telling Trump what he wants to hear.
Zelensky reportedly told Trump that Putin is willing to negotiate only out of fear, recognizing Trump's strength.
Trump reportedly acknowledged Zelensky's point but maintained that he sensed Putin was serious about negotiations. He added that the truth would become clear soon.
"I need to talk to Putin in order to save Ukraine"
Sources stated that the phone call between Trump and Zelensky was positive and lasted about an hour, longer than the preceding call between Trump and Putin.
Trump told Zelensky that he understands his concerns about talks with Putin, but emphasized that there is no other option if he wants his diplomatic efforts to succeed.
"I need to talk to Putin in order to save Ukraine," Trump supposedly said.
Trump also stressed that the upcoming meeting between Zelensky, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Munich will be crucial for initiating the diplomatic process.
As one source stated, Trump ended the call by giving Zelensky his private number, saying he could contact him directly. In return, Zelensky told Trump he would give him a championship belt from Ukrainian heavyweight boxer Oleksandr Usyk.
