Published February 16,2025
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes Russia is getting ready to “wage war” in opposition to a weakened NATO ought to President Donald Trump dilute US help for the alliance.
In an interview with broadcaster NBC on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky additionally stated Trump had the leverage to push Vladimir Putin into ceasefire negotiations over Ukraine, however warned the Russian chief ought to by no means be trusted.
“We believe that Putin will wage war against NATO,” Zelensky instructed the community in an interview aired Sunday.
He instructed Putin could also be ready “for a weakening of NATO,” which could possibly be triggered by the likelihood “that the United States of America will think to take its military from Europe.”
An emboldened Russia would transfer swiftly into territorial expansionist mode, the Ukranian chief stated.
“I don’t know (if) they will want 30 percent of Europe, 50 percent, I don’t know. Nobody knows. But they will have this possibility,” he stated.
Zelensky’s feedback to NBC echoed his remarks to the Munich convention on Saturday, the place he urged the creation of a European military, arguing the continent may now not depend on Washington.
“We can’t rule out the possibility that America might say no to Europe on issues that threaten it,” Zelensky instructed the convention.
“I really believe that time has come. The Armed Forces of Europe must be created.”
The push for a joint continental drive has been mooted for years with out gaining traction and Zelensky’s intervention appears unlikely to shift the stability.
Zelensky’s newest warnings got here as Washington introduced a staff of senior US officers would meet in Saudi Arabia with counterparts from Moscow and Kyiv.
Trump upended the established order this week when he introduced he was prone to quickly meet Putin to start out talks to finish the battle.
Zelensky stated that in conversations with Trump, the president indicated he believed Putin was for prepared for negotiations.
“I said to (Trump), ‘No, (Putin)’s a liar. He doesn’t want any peace.'”
But Zelensky added that he thinks Putin is “a little bit scared” of the US president.
“I think that really he can push Putin to peace negotiations,” Zelensky stated, including: “don’t trust him. Don’t trust Putin.”
US officers have sought to guarantee Ukraine that it’s going to not be left within the chilly after three years of battling Russia’s invasion.
After sitting down with Zelensky in Munich, US Vice President JD Vance stated the United States was on the lookout for a “durable, lasting peace” that might not result in additional bloodshed in coming years.
But Washington has despatched combined messages to Kyiv, with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth showing to rule out Ukraine becoming a member of NATO or retaking all of its territory.
Source: www.anews.com.tr