The Kviv Post (news outlet) stated on Sunday, February 16th, that Ukrainian President Zelensky fears Russia may be preparing for more conflict. Russia could “wage war” against a weakened NATO. This is especially likely if President Donald Trump weakens U.S. support for the NATO alliance.
During an interview with NBC at the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky asserted that Trump has the ability to push Vladimir Putin towards ceasefire negotiations concerning Ukraine; however, he cautioned against placing trust in the Russian leader.
He expressed uncertainty about Putin’s territorial ambitions, saying, “I don’t know if they will want 30 percent of Europe, 50 percent, nobody knows. But they will have this possibility.”
Zelensky’s thoughts shared with NBC mirrored his urgent plea made at the Munich conference. There, he advocated for the formation of a European army. He emphasized that Europe’s should increase it’s own reliance, rather than solely rely on Washington (Moscow Times).
If Russia’s ambitions are acted upon, Zelensky predicted swift territorial expansion. He stated, “I really believe the time has come. The Armed Forces of Europe must be created.”
In a recent diplomatic outreach, the U.S. has sought input from European allies on what they require from Washington to join efforts in securing Ukraine, as detailed in a document obtained by Reuters.
European leaders have been urged by the White House to come up with proposals that provide security guarantees for Ukraine. Meanwhile, the US has inquired what the European Union requires from Washington to facilitate the implementation of these security measures.
This initiative includes six points and questions regarding which nations could contribute to these security guarantees, who would be ready to deploy troops as part of a peace settlement, and the potential size of any European-led force.
And in a move that caught European allies off-guard, Trump reached out to Putin about initiating peace talks without coordinating with them or Kyiv, stirring concern about potential sidelining of Ukraine in peace discussions. Trump reporting, that he had a “great” phone call with Putin.
Following a “lengthy and highly productive” phone call with the Russian leader, Trump announced that they agreed to commence ceasefire discussions regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The implications of Trump’s assertion are significant. He suggests that Ukraine may not fully regain all it’s territories. Additionally, securing NATO membership as part of any agreement is uncertain.
On Friday February 14th, Vance flew out to Ukraine for a meeting. Zelensky had a discussion with Vice President Vance, regarding the resolution of the ongoing conflict with Russia. Accompanying them were Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Keith Kellogg, the special envoy for Russia and Ukraine.
Vice President J.D. Vance, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, indicated that tougher sanctions could be on the table, as well as the deployment of U.S. troops to Ukraine should Putin fail to engage in earnest negotiations.
Vance reassured the Wall Street Journal that the U.S. administration is approaching negotiations pragmatically, asserting, “Everything is on the table; let’s make a deal.”
Also On February 14th, a drone strike occurred at the Chernobyl power plant, which is infamous for experiencing the worst nuclear disaster in history. This drone, equipped with a warhead, impacted the facility’s protective outer shell.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. organization responsible for nuclear safety, reported that although Kyiv attributed the attack to Moscow, the inner containment shell of the reactor remained intact, and there were no increases in radiation levels.
Moscow denied any involvement and instead suggested that Ukraine conducted the attack as a false flag operation.
These allegations from both sides remain unverified and are part of a larger narrative where each nation accuses the other of undermining President Donald Trump’s initiatives to achieve peace.
In a statement on February 13th, Pete Hegseth underscored Trump’s commitment to achieving a lasting peace through diplomacy, aiming to bring both Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table, with the Department of Defense poised to aid in reaching this goal.
According to Hegseth, ending this destructive conflict requires aligning allied strength with a realistic understanding of the current battlefield. Fostering a sustainable peace involves recognizing that restoring Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an impractical objective.
The United States, with its allies and global partners, remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine, condemning Russia’s premeditated aggression.
As a vital strategic partner in the region, Ukraine has made commendable strides in modernizing its military and enhancing interoperability with NATO forces.
Providing necessary military assistance to Ukraine continues to be a pressing priority, ensuring the nation is equipped to defend against Russia’s ongoing hostilities.
Since the onset of Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022, the U.S. has allocated $65.9 billion in military support. Including earlier military aid since 2014, the total assistance has reached approximately $69.2 billion.
Information and news article was updated February 17th to include statements about the Chernobyl, drone attack.
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