By Micah Jonah
16 February 2026
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed concern over United States-led peace negotiations with Russia, warning that Kyiv is being asked too often to make concessions while Russia faces limited scrutiny. He stressed that lasting peace requires clear security guarantees.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Zelenskyy said he hopes the trilateral talks in Geneva this week will be serious and constructive. “But honestly, sometimes it feels like the sides are talking about completely different things,” he said, noting that US officials often focus only on Ukraine’s concessions.
Zelenskyy also called for European countries to have a seat at the negotiating table, saying Moscow has opposed their involvement. “Europe is practically not present at the table. It’s a big mistake,” he added, emphasizing that peace must be based on a strong security framework.
One major point of contention is Russia’s demand for a full withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from eastern Donetsk, which Ukraine has rejected. Kyiv insists on Western security guarantees to deter renewed aggression if a ceasefire is reached.
Zelenskyy revealed that the US proposed a 15-year security guarantee after the war, but Ukraine seeks a minimum of 20 years. He also demanded that Russia accept a ceasefire monitoring mission and a prisoner exchange.
The Ukrainian leader criticized Russia’s decision to change its Geneva delegation, with Putin’s adviser Vladimir Medinsky replacing military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov, suggesting the move is intended to delay decisions. He described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “slave to war” and compared the situation to the 1938 Munich Agreement, warning that dividing Ukraine would not end the conflict.
Zelenskyy called on Ukraine’s allies to take stronger action against Russia, including tougher sanctions and increased weapons support. He acknowledged pressure from US President Donald Trump to seize the opportunity for peace and stressed that the US has the influence to push Russia toward a ceasefire.
The conflict, now in its fourth year, continues to strain Ukraine’s military and resources as negotiations aim to achieve lasting peace.
